Family reunited in Seattle after 26 years of separation

She told KIRO-TV that with the help of Sen. Maria Cantwell's office, her brother was able to visit the United States to see their dying mother.

“He didn’t change, except we all get a little bit older. Hope we are all wiser as well,” said Jin Xiu Hong.

Jin said she had organized a demonstration in China in 1989 to support journalists in free speech and the citizens’ right to vote.

She was there as the Chinese military rode into the square in tanks and killed hundreds of demonstrators.

“I stayed in Tiananmen Square many days, and I passed out a couple times,” she said.

Jin’s husband at the time was a U.S. citizen. She said Americans were urged to leave the area so she left with him to the United States.

Soon she found she was not allowed to return to her home country. Jin said the government retaliated against her family.

“The Chinese regime tortured my family, forcefully bulldozed my mom’s house,” Jin said.

Her mother came to the U.S. 12 years ago. Her mom became sick and recently suffered severe injuries. Doctors told Jin her mother may not have much longer to live.

Her mom's greatest wish was to see her son again. But Jin's brother had been rejected for a visa three times in the last decade. Jin told KIRO-TV she's not sure why it's been so difficult.

Jin said she’s extremely grateful to Cantwell’s office for helping to ensure her brother could come to the U.S. in time to see their mother.

“Today is a very big day to our entire family,” Jin said. “We greatly appreciate the freedom in the U.S. We greatly appreciate the understanding of people and human rights.”