Opinion ID: 43651
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: De Dong’s Supplemental Statement

Text: De Dong also submitted a supplemental statement in support of his 2003 asylum request. De Dong’s supplemental statement differed from his 1993 asylum application and his 1996 oral testimony. In his supplemental statement, De Dong alleged that he married Chun Rong in 1981, but that their marriage was not registered until March 27, 1992. De Dong also alleged that he had three children, born January 1, 1982, November 6, 1984, and January 20, 1986. According to De Dong, on January 10, 1985, the government forced Chun Rong to have an IUD inserted and fined the couple 5,000 yuan, which they paid on January 15, 1985. When “the IUD dropped for unknown reasons,” Chun Rong became pregnant and gave birth to their third child at the home of a relative. In 1987, when the government learned of the birth of the couple’s third child, the government examined Chun Rong and discovered she was eight months pregnant. On October 15, 1987, the government forced Chun Rong to have an abortion and to undergo sterilization. The government also fined the couple 10,000 yuan for giving birth to their third child, but because they were not able to 5 pay the fine, the government refused to allow the couple to register their marriage or add their third child to the family register. Ultimately, De Dong grew “tired of the government’s harassment and persecution” and fled to the United States.