Washington (CNN) An American college student who has been trapped in China with his family for more than a year made a direct appeal to US President Donald Trump on Thursday to help end their plight.

"President Trump, you are the only person who can bring my sister and me home. We need your help. We need it urgently," Victor Liu said on CNN "Newsroom."

The 20-year-old Georgetown University student, his 28-year-old sister Cynthia Liu, and their mother Sandra Han have been trapped in China for more than a year, prevented by Chinese authorities from returning home to the United States through the use of an exit ban.

Victor Liu told CNN's Jim Sciutto said the family has received "tremendous support" from members of the Trump administration, including the President, National Security Adviser John Bolton and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, as well as from Democratic Sens. Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren, lawmakers from their home state of Massachusetts.

"Knowing that we have the support and backing of the US government, my sister and I are extremely proud and thankful to be Americans," he said.

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