 After negotiations with the Chinese government, he left the embassy for medical treatment in early May 2012, and it was reported that China would consider allowing him to travel to the United States to study.On 19 May 2012, Chen, his wife, and his two children were granted U.S. visas and departed Beijing for New York City.In October 2013, Chen accepted a position with the conservative research group Witherspoon Institute, and a position at the Catholic University of America.