As Thanksgiving nears, President Bartlet has his own hot-potato issue when a boatload of persecuted Chinese evangelical Christians arrives in California seeking asylum, while a perplexed C.J. must choose between two turkeys for the Presidential pardon ceremony — with the other destined for the chopping block. While Bartlet’s staff argues over sending back the illegal immigrants, Toby wants the President to appoint Leo’s controversial sister for a minor education post, fully aware that her opposition to school prayer will cause the controversial subject to emerge again. Elsewhere, Toby, Josh and Sam make plans to watch football while Charlie is dispatched by Bartlet to find the precise cutting instrument for Thanksgiving dinner.

From TV Guide: It’s the week before Thanksgiving and a shipload of illegal immigrants from China has just been intercepted. They’re claiming asylum as persecuted Christians. Meanwhile, Toby presses the President to appoint Leo’s sister (Deborah Hedwall), the superintendent of schools in Atlanta, to an important Education Department post. Making this politically dicey is that she’s a foe of school prayer.