Swidan was arrested and imprisoned in 2012 in China on allegations of drug trafficking and sentenced to death. Texans in Congress have advocated for Swidan’s release for years. Members of both parties have denounced the imprisonment as politically motivated.

A Houston man will return home this week after being detained in China for over a decade. Mark Swidan from Houston was involved in a prisoner swap between the United States and China that also led to the release of Kai Li and John Leungas,

Texas lawmakers welcomed news that China is releasing Houston businessman Mark Swidan, who had been imprisoned since 2012, as part of a prisoner exchange.

Mark Swidan, Kai Li, and John Leung have been released from detention, a spokesperson for the National Security Council said.

Mark Swidan had been wrongfully detained in China since 2012, and his family fought to one day bring him home. Now, the State Department said he would return as part of a prisoner swap agreement.

Actor Mel Gibson applauded U.S. officials on Wednesday for securing the release of American Mark Swidan, who has been detained in China since 2012.  “He was wrongfully detained there for a crime

The White House announced a deal with China Wednesday to free Mark Swidan, Kai Li and John Leung, who the U.S. considered wrongfully imprisoned. CBS News political reporter Taurean Small has more on how the deal came about and what it means for the countries' relationship.

Americans Mark Swidan, Kai Li and John Leung are en route back to the United States from imprisonment in China, the White House said.

Mark Swidan, Kai Li, and John Leung have been released from detention, a spokesperson for the National Security Council said.

A Houston man sentenced to death in a Chinese prison is set to be released after 12 years, the White House said Wednesday.