Hudson Urges State Department to Assist US Citizens, Allies Amid Misleading Communications

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08) is urging Secretary of State Antony Blinken to provide immediate assistance and a plan to secure the safety of American citizens and allies still in Afghanistan. In a letter sent today, Rep. Hudson sounded the alarm on examples of misleading information from the State Department that has put citizens and allies at risk.

"As Fort Bragg's Congressman, I represent numerous active-duty troops and their families, as well as a large population of veterans. I have heard from many of them about the need to assist U.S. citizens, as well as Afghan partners still on the ground who have been critical to our Armed Forces over the past two decades. I have worked for months to try and assist these people, but am disappointed in the lack of preparation and action to now evacuate them in the face of extreme danger," wrote Rep. Hudson.

"These missteps from the State Department are creating additional confusion in an already chaotic and tenuous situation. The lives of our fellow citizens and allies whom we have a commitment to protect are at stake. I am requesting that you and the State Department provide immediate assistance and a clear plan to now secure their safety."

In the letter, Rep. Hudson highlighted one example of a letter sent by the State Department to a Special Immigrant Visa applicant dated Aug. 16, 2021, one day after the U.S. Embassy in Kabul was evacuated, which instructed the applicant to present the letter at an immigrant visa interview at the Embassy on Sept. 28, 2021.

Additionally, Rep. Hudson highlighted that today, a notice emailed from the State Department intended to instruct American citizens to make their way to Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul was also sent to Afghan nationals, SIV applicants, and allies who worked with our military who have applied for evacuation. The email included an official Department of State Access Pass. According to Rep. Hudson, this confusion has led Afghan citizens to make the dangerous journey through Taliban checkpoints to the airport, only to be turned away. Rep. Hudson wrote that one individual who his office has worked with was beaten by a baton outside of the airport.

Read the entire letter here.

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