Throughout Thursday, U.S. officials insisted Mr. Chen had had a "change of heart" and diplomatic officials scrambled to ascertain what he really wanted, meeting with him and his wife at a Beijing hospital where he is undergoing treatment for injuries sustained during a risky escape from his home detention.

WSJ: Chinese Activist Makes Plea to U.S. Congress

His arrest followed a dramatic escape from court in which he fled in a speeding vehicle to avoid detention.

NPR: More Legal Trouble For Pakistan's Musharraf

Even if those immigrants are eventually given asylum, they may have waited in detention for months or years, separated from their families just for attempting to escape strife in their country of origin.

CNN: Commentary: Health reform back on track