Issue Spotlight: Bring Back Our Marine

On March 13, 2014, Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi, a veteran of the US Marines, who had been deployed to Afghanistan twice, was arrested by Mexican law enforcement for accidentally crossing the border while possessing weapons. Possession of these weapons would have been legal in the United States. However, because Sgt. Tahmooressi had unknowingly crossed into Mexico, where possessing these weapons are illegal, he found himself in prison, despite being lost and attempting to return to the United States. He has yet to be released, leading to an outcry from legislators who are demanding action.

According to reports, Sgt. Tahmoressi is suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and had attempted to take his own life. (Read more). On social media, the Marine’s return is being advocated via the hashtag "#BringBackOurMarine."

Congressman Ted Poe (R-TX) released a statement regarding Sgt. Tahmooressi earlier this month:

1. “This week, a House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee held a hearing on Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi. At the hearing, I questioned how ironic it was that our Administration can negotiate with the Taliban to secure the release of a missing soldier, but no one from the Administration could pick up a telephone to get our Marine back. That is simply unacceptable and inexcusable. I’ve introduced H Res 620 to call on the Government of Mexico to immediately release Sgt. Tahmooressi and return him to the U.S. to allow him to receive care for his PTSD and to call on President Obama to do all that he can to secure his release.”

Weigh in on bills related to Sgt. Tahmooressi on POPVOX:

• HRes 612

  Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Government of Mexico should forthwith repatriate Sgt. Andrew Paul Tahmooressi from Mexican prison(s) and expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the President of the United States should take actions to impose sanctions on Mexico until such time as Sgt. Tahmooressi is released

  According to the bill sponsor, "Mexico’s arrest and detention of Sgt. Tahmooressi is an unnecessary and inflammatory act. It’s becoming clear the only way to bring Sgt. Tahmooressi home is for the U.S. government to threaten harsh sanctions."

• HRes 620

  Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Government of Mexico should immediately release United States Marine Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi and provide for his swift return to the United States so Sgt. Tahmooressi can receive the appropriate medical assistance for his medical condition

  —Bipartisan– According to the bill sponsor, "It’s been six months since Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi was arrested for accidentally crossing the border into Mexico with three legally registered firearms. He’s sat in a Mexican prison ever since without any treatment for the PTSD that he suffers from."

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