Washington D.C. – Reuters, May 11, 2026
The families of two Americans imprisoned in China for more than a decade are urging President Donald Trump to seek their release during his summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping this week.
The cases involve Dawn Michelle Hunt, 54, a Chicago-area artist and former flight attendant, and Nelson Wells Jr., 52, a Louisiana native and father of three, who were convicted on drug charges after what their families say were separate “blind mule” scams in which they were unknowingly used to carry narcotics.
For Trump, who has cast himself as a dealmaker who brings Americans home, securing the release of two ailing U.S. prisoners would offer a gain from a summit expected to be short on outcomes amid tensions over trade, Iran and Taiwan.
For Beijing, a humanitarian release of two Americans would be a low-cost gesture that could buy goodwill with a mercurial U.S. president at a sensitive moment in the relationship.
“With President Trump meeting President Xi, our two families are writing letters – we’re asking, ‘Can you please ask for the release of our loved ones?’,” said Tim Hunt, Dawn Michelle’s older brother.
“Hopefully, we can get those letters delivered and read.”
