At least 26 Americans held captive overseas have been freed since President Donald Trump took office in January 2025. Among those released are individuals from various backgrounds, including a ballerina, a teacher, and a mechanic.
On January 21, 2025, Ryan Corbett and William McKenty were both released from Taliban captivity in Afghanistan. Their release occurred under the Trump administration, although the agreement that facilitated their freedom had been made by the previous administration.
Corbett has lived and worked in Afghanistan for over a decade, focusing on education and community development. In 2021, as the Taliban regained control of the country, Corbett and his family evacuated. However, he returned in 2022 and was subsequently captured, likely due to his ability to be used as a political pawn.
Unfortunately, not much is known about McKenty’s background, and his family has requested privacy regarding his situation.
On January 26, 2025, Anastasia Nuhfer was released after being detained in Belarus during the Biden administration. While Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced her freedom, specifics about the circumstances leading to her detention remain unclear.
Special envoy Ric Grenell played a crucial role in securing the release of six other unnamed Americans after discussions with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. According to Grenell, the individuals expressed immense gratitude to Trump during a call following their release.
The situation for Keith Siegel, who spent 484 days as a hostage in Gaza, ended on February 1, 2025, when he was liberated as part of a ceasefire agreement. Siegel was taken hostage during a Hamas attack, while his wife had previously been released.
In February 2025, Marc Fogel, an American teacher who had been in detention in Russia for over three years, was finally freed. He was arrested for carrying a small amount of medical marijuana. His family expressed dissatisfaction with the U.S. government’s handling of his case, especially compared to the effort to release another detainee.
In a similar vein, on February 12, 2025, Marco Rubio announced the release of another American who had been unfairly detained in Belarus, although details regarding this individual were not provided.
Sagui Dekel-Chen, an Israeli American, was held by Hamas from October 7, 2023, until February 2025. His time in captivity was grueling; he sustained injuries during the initial attack and endured harsh treatment while hostage.
Recently, ten Americans, including some veterans and contractors, were released on March 13, 2025, after being detained in Kuwait. They were reportedly facing drug charges, demonstrating the complexities of international detainment.
One notable case was the release of Delta Airlines mechanic George Glezmann, who was held for two years in Gaza after traveling there for a brief cultural visit. His release occurred on March 20, 2025, after negotiations involving U.S. officials.
Additionally, Faye Hall was freed by the Taliban in March 2025, though details about her detention remain vague. A video surfaced later showing her thanking Trump for her release and expressing pride in her citizenship.
Also on April 10, 2025, Ksenia Karelina, a ballet dancer who had been wrongfully held in Russia, returned to the U.S. after more than a year in custody. She expressed her deep gratitude to Trump for her liberation.
These stories highlight the ongoing challenges faced by Americans abroad, while also showcasing recent efforts by the U.S. government to secure their freedom and the political dynamics involved in these complex situations.
