Families Push Trump to Free Two Americans Jailed in China

In Beijing, two American families are calling on President Trump to intervene for their loved ones during his upcoming meeting with Chinese leader Xi. The men, Dawn Michelle Hunt and Nelson Wells Jr. , were sentenced to more than ten years in Chinese prisons after unknowingly transporting drugs in suitcase scams. Their families claim the men were tricked by fraudsters who promised prizes and trips, leading them to carry hidden narcotics on flights. Hunt, a Chicago artist who once worked as a flight attendant, and Wells, a Louisiana native with three children, both suffer serious health problems while imprisoned. Hunt needs blood transfusions but distrusts prison doctors; Wells battles seizures, diabetes and high blood pressure. The families fear their conditions will worsen without proper care in the United States. The U. S. State Department says it is helping with consular support and has asked China for a humanitarian release, but details remain private. A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson stated the men are serving lawful sentences for drug offenses and that their rights are protected under Chinese law.Lawyer James Zimmerman, based in Beijing, reports that China is open to a release if the U. S. side emphasizes how vital it would be for the American people. Meanwhile, former fraud investigator Peter Humphrey notes that U. S. officials have been more actively raising the cases with Chinese authorities in recent months. The families hope that President Trump’s trip will give them a chance to present their pleas directly. They also support new legislation by Representative Chris Smith, named after the cases, aimed at improving aid for families of detained Americans. In a recent congressional hearing, the families testified, drawing national attention to the plight of U. S. citizens in Chinese jails. Both families endure daily grief: Hunt’s father died before the man could be freed, and Wells’ youngest daughter barely knows her father after being separated at six months old. The emotional toll is heavy, but the families remain determined to see their loved ones returned home.