Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. French Hill (R-AR) and Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI), Co-Chairs of the Congressional Task Force on American Hostages and Americans Wrongfully Detained Abroad, today introduced the Supporting Americans Wrongfully or Unlawfully Detained Abroad Act, which would financially help the families of wrongfully detained Americans with travel and lodging costs to advocate for their loved ones in Washington, D.C.

“Families of wrongfully detained Americans are already going through so much,” said Rep. Hill. “The last thing these families need is to have the financial burden of coming to Washington, D.C. to advocate for their loved one. I am proud that my bill with Rep. Haley Stevens will provide families with the travel assistance they need while we all work together to bring all Americans who are wrongfully detained around the world home safely.”

“Wrongfully detained Americans’ families face enormous burdens as they fight for the release of their loved ones,” said Rep. Stevens. “This legislation significantly reduces the financial hardships associated with traveling to Washington to advocate for and learn about the status of loved ones across many channels of government. I am grateful to work with Rep. French Hill to introduce this legislation — we will keep pushing until each and every American wrongfully detained is home safe.”

Further Background:

Supporting Americans Wrongfully or Unlawfully Detained Abroad Act: This bill would provide families of wrongfully detained Americans with travel cost assistance, such as airfare and hotels, in order to help them travel to Washington to advocate on behalf of their loved one.