Kazakhstan is the world’s largest landlocked country, the ninth largest overall—and young, having only emerged from the USSR as an independent nation 33 years ago.

But they have not given up on their American dream. But the next time they want to explore legal routes. "The path we tried isn't worth the risk, especially with children," Zhapaq said.

A Soyuz capsule carrying two Russian cosmonauts and one American astronaut safely landed Sunday in Kazakhstan, concluding a 220-day mission aboard the International Space Station ...

MOSCOW, Russia — A Soyuz capsule carrying two Russians and one American from the International Space Station landed on September 23 in Kazakhstan, ending a record-breaking stay for the Russian pair.