A bipartisan legislation, led by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), seeks to bring Americans unjustly detained in China back home.
The bill, called the Nelson Wells Jr. and Dawn Michelle Hunt Unjustly Detained in Communist China Act, is named after those who have been imprisoned by the CCP. The legislation establishes a “Cases of Concern” list for those detained in China and requires the Secretary of State to create an action plan exploring how officials may leverage legal tools and programs for the matter.
“The Chinese Communist Party unjustly detains and imprisons more Americans than any other country,” said Smith. “Innocent Americans have been wrongfully imprisoned and tortured by an amoral legal system that has no respect for truth, due process, and basic human rights. It is well past time that the United States responds forcefully and fearlessly to rescue its citizens who have been held hostage by the CCP.”
“Dawn Hunt is a daughter of Chicago, a member of a family that has served our city in uniform, and a victim of a gross miscarriage of justice. She should not be languishing in a Chinese prison with untreated medical conditions, and she certainly shouldn’t be used as leverage by the CCP,” declared Krishnamoorthi. “This legislation is about Dawn, and other Americans who are unjustly detained or blocked from returning home by the People’s Republic of China. We must show her family, and all families like hers, that America will never abandon its own.”
The legislation supports President Trump’s executive order strengthening efforts to protect U.S. citizens from wrongful detention overseas.
“The bottom line: Anyone who uses an American as a bargaining chip will pay the price,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said of the order. “This administration is not only putting America first but also putting Americans first.”
