article: A Chinese-born American geologist was deported and returned to his Texas home following his release from prison in China after serving nearly eight years on charges of 'illegally procuring state secrets'. Xue Feng returned to his family in Houston on Friday following his release from Beijing's No. 2 Prison. He served all but ten months of his eight year sentence after getting it reduced for good behavior. Xue Feng returned to his family in Houston, Texas, on Friday following his release from Beijing's No. 2 Prison . The 50-year-old doctor served all but ten months of his eight year sentence at the Chinese prison (pictured) Xue Min (right) waits with daughter Guo Jie (left) for the trial of her brother outside a Chinese court in 2010 . At the time of his release, Xue was the only American citizen serving a sentence in a Chinese prison for the crime of endangering state security, according to the  Dui Hua foundation. The foundation has long advocated on Xue's behalf. Executive director John Kamm said: 'Dui Hua is delighted that Dr Xue has finally been reunited with his family in America after a terrible ordeal,' 'The foundation wishes him every success as he rebuilds his life.' The 50-year-old Xue was detained in November of 2007 and sentenced in 2010 on charges of illegally gathering information on China's oil industry. His case raised questions about whether normal business activities elsewhere might conflict with China's vague state security laws. Supporters also said Xue was physically abused in detention and denied proper legal rights. American diplomats had lobbied hard for Xue's release, saying his alleged crimes didn't warrant the harshness of his sentence. Tong Wei, the lawyer for the jailed American geologist, seen leaving Beijing High People's Court in 2011 . President Obama personally lobbied for Xue's release during a visit to Beijing in November of 2009, the New York Times reported. After a court upheld Xue's conviction in February of 2011, American ambassador Jon Huntsman said: 'This has been a long, difficult and painful ordeal for Xue Feng, but not only for Xue but also for his wife, Nan, and his two kids. 'We ask the Chinese government to consider an immediate humanitarian parole of Xue Feng, thereby allowing him to get back to his family and his way of life.' Xue was born in China and earned a doctorate at the University of Chicago, where he was praised by his advisers for his thoroughness and hard work. After becoming a United States citizen, he returned to his native country to work for US consultancy IHS Energy, now known as IHS Inc. In pronouncing him guilty, the Beijing No. 1 Intermediate People's Court said his actions 'endangered our country's national security'. The verdict said Xue received documents on geological conditions of onshore oil wells and a database that gave the coordinates of more than 30,000 oil and gas wells belonging to China National Petroleum Corp. and listed subsidiary PetroChina Ltd.
highlights: US citizen Xue Feng returned to his family in Houston, Texas, on Friday .
  Detained in November 2007 on charges of 'illegally procuring state secrets'
  Convicted in 2010 of illegally gathering information on China's oil industry .
  50-year-old doctor served all but ten months of his eight year sentence .
  President Obama personally lobbied for release during 2009 Beijing visit .
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