The State - News from Sept. 28, 1989

An immigration official “had a change of heart” and decided to release on $5,000 bond a student from China who was detained when she arrived seeking asylum, her attorney’s office said. Hoy Yu Yi, 27, and her fiance, Luo Jian Guang, 32, were taken into custody Aug. 7 when they arrived in San Francisco, saying they feared reprisals for anti-government protests if they return to their homeland. Immigration officials have the right to detain asylum-seekers who arrive without visas or to release them on bond. David Ilchert, regional director of the INS, earlier ruled against bond for Hoy after a doctor reported her to be in good health. But later Ilchert “had a change of heart,” said Hoy’s spokesman, Bob Ryan. Luo was ordered to remain in custody pending outcome of the case. While the INS said it has not taken a position, the State Department has filed a report saying it does not believe that the students have proven they have a well-founded fear of persecution in China.