Chinese Woman Denied Visa To See Dying Father In Connecticut

The Associated Press

May 9, 2008, 8:59 AM EDT

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) - Congressman Joe Courtney is trying to help a Chinese woman get a visa to visit her dying father in Connecticut.

State Department officials say Hai Hong Liu failed to qualify for a visa because she did not demonstrate strong enough ties to China that would compel her to return.

Her father was seriously injured by a hit-and-run driver as he walked across Route 32 in Montville on April 14.

He's at Yale-New Haven Hospital and doctors have asked the family's permission to take him off life support. But the family wants to include his daughter in that decision.

The 2nd District Democrat has a letter to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice urging the State Department to show compassion and sensitivity in the matter.