Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and U.S. Rep. Matt Salmon (R-AZ), Chairman of the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee, sent a letter to Mexico’s Attorney General, Jesús Murillo Karam, to express their concern for the well-being of U.S. Marine Sergeant Andrew Tahmooressi and to call for his immediate release.
 
In the letter to Attorney General Jesús Murillo Karam, Reps. Royce and Salmon write: “As citizens of our country reflect on the recent barbaric execution of Americans at the hands of radical Islamic terrorists, we are reminded of the service of men and women of our nation's Armed Forces who, like Sgt Tahmooressi, sacrificed so much to combat the scourge of terrorism that threatens to destabilize the world. Sgt. Tahmooressi's combat related PTSD is a life threatening condition he acquired in honorable defense of his country, and he needs to return to the United States to begin treatment post haste.   It is because of this that we have been closely following his incarceration in Mexico, even visiting him at the El Hongo II prison in Tecate.  And it is because of this that we respectfully ask for your good offices in assuring that his case is resolved urgently.”
 
In June, Royce and Salmon traveled to Tecate, Mexico where they visited with U.S. Marine Sergeant Andrew Tahmooressi, in order to check on his condition.  Information on that visit, including a photo, is available HERE.
 
The signed letter is available HERE.
 
The text of the letter follows:
 
September 5, 2014
 
Mr. Jesús Murillo Karam
Attorney General
United Mexican States
 
Dear Attorney General Murillo Karam,
 
We are writing to express our continued concern for the well-being of U.S. Marine Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi, who has been held in a Mexican prison since March 31, 2014.  Mr. Tahmooressi inadvertently arrived at the Mexican border after becoming confused and taking a wrong turn.  As you know, Mr. Tahmooressi is a U.S. Marine Corps Reservist who, after honorably serving two combat tours in Afghanistan, suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD.)  His diagnosed PTSD presents itself in hyper-vigilance, memory and cognition lapses, and depression.  His suicide attempt while incarcerated in the La Mesa jail in Tijuana was a manifestation of this disorder, and highlights the need for him to immediately begin treatment at a clinic specialized in combat related PTSD in the United States of America.
 
As citizens of our country reflect on the recent barbaric execution of Americans at the hands of radical Islamic terrorists, we are reminded of the service of men and women of our nation's Armed Forces who, like Sgt Tahmooressi, sacrificed so much to combat the scourge of terrorism that threatens to destabilize the world. Sgt. Tahmooressi's combat related PTSD is a life threatening condition he acquired in honorable defense of his country, and he needs to return to the United States to begin treatment post haste.   It is because of this that we have been closely following his incarceration in Mexico, even visiting him at the El Hongo II prison in Tecate.  And it is because of this that we respectfully ask for your good offices in assuring that his case is resolved urgently.
 
Attorney General Murillo Karam, we are respectful of Mexico’s laws and sovereignty, and are committed to our bilateral relationship.  We are also mindful of your obligations as Mexico’s chief law enforcement officer.  Given the extenuating circumstances surrounding his erroneous arrival at the Mexican border, and the fact that he requires specific and urgent treatment for PTSD, we ask for your personal assurance that a humanitarian solution is reached for the immediate release of Sgt. Tahmooressi.
 
We look forward to continued and necessary cooperation in promoting security along our common border, as we turn to you for your personal intervention in seeing this case finally resolved.
 
Sincerely,
 
EDWARD R. ROYCE                                                    
MATT SALMON

###