Governor JB Pritzker is pressing the State Department to do more to help Americans stranded in the Middle East as Iran attacks US allies amid US attacks and airports and airspace are closed.
The President said on Tuesday “it all happened very quickly,” when asked why there were no plans to help stranded American citizens.
The State Department, accused by some lawmakers of “incompetence,” later said “it is facilitating charter flights” from some countries, and military aircraft, and airlines were being asked to send larger planes.
Governor Pritzker said in a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, there have been “numerous requests from U.S. citizens,” including Illinois residents, seeking support to return to the United States.
Pritzker wrote, “Illinois citizens have expressed considerable fear for their safety as well as serious financial and logistical challenges.”
He said that includes people in multiple countries in the region.
Here’s the letter:
Hon. Marco Rubio
Secretary, U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, D.C. 20520
Mora Namdar
Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs, U.S.
Department of State
600 19th Street NW
Washington, D.C. 20036
Dear Secretary Rubio and Assistant Secretary Namdar,
As you know, recent military actions in the Middle East have put Illinoisans and Americans directly in harm's way. With airspace and airports have been shut down, and severely limited commercial flight options, the safety of U.S. citizens in the region is at risk.
In the past, following other major and destabilizing military actions or emergencies, the State Department has prepared and issued information and guidance to protect U.S. civilians who may need to be transported or evacuated from where they are.
The State of Illinois and our federal congressional delegation are receiving numerous requests from U.S. citizens seeking additional support to return to the United States. Illinois citizens have expressed considerable fear for their safety as well as serious financial and logistical challenges.
These inquires have included travelers and residents across multiple different countries in the region.
As Americans are stranded abroad, we all have a responsibility to do everything in our power to safely get them home. I am requesting you take the following immediate actions to assist U.S. citizens who want to leave the region:
1) Announce a public commitment and plan to use charter flights, military aircrafts, or
both to assist Americans attempting to leave the region.
2) Explore using emergency contracts with charter companies or commercial airlines.
3) Issue clear guidance to Americans abroad about how to sign up, schedule, and safely
access flights or other transportation.
4) Identify safe locations to set up temporary diplomatic posts in areas where U.S.
Embassies have been attacked or destroyed.
5) Authorize the emergency deployment of foreign service officers to alleviate challenges
facing current embassy staff and provide additional support to Americans seeking
assistance.
There are parents who want to get home to their children, workers and business owners who need to return to their jobs, people who have families and communities that rely on them. Our country shares an urgent obligation to help get stranded Americans home.
I kindly request that you respond within 24 hours of receiving this letter with clear guidance and detailed instructions to the public.
Sincerely,
Governor JB Pritzker