news

 Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-12) is urging the State Department to take increased steps to protect American citizens stranded in Yemen. In a letter today to Secretary of State John Kerry, Dingell urged the State Department to prioritize the evacuation of American citizens living in Yemen and to improve communication with families about any future evacuation efforts. Dingell has also been in constant communication with State Department officials.

“The ongoing situation in Yemen is dire and further action must be taken by the U.S. Department of State to ensure the safety of American citizens living in the country,” Dingell wrote. “As you are aware, Michigan’s Twelfth Congressional District has a significant Yemeni-American population and they are concerned for the well-being of their loved ones, many of whom are trapped in the country during ongoing hostilities. 

“We have an obligation to make every possible effort to safely evacuate U.S. citizens from conflict zones…It is critical that you work with our allies in the region to explore alternative options for the safe evacuation of U.S. citizens in Yemen.”

In Dingell’s conversations with senior officials at the State Department, it became clear that better communication was necessary to ensure the community is aware of all resources available to them. The State Department has established a website where families can find important information and updates. Families are also encouraged to visit the Facebook and Twitter pages for the U.S. Embassy in Yemen. Community groups are urged to share this information with all interested parties.

Michigan is home to one of the largest populations of Arab Americans in the country, and Dearborn, Michigan has a significant number of Yemeni-Americans.

Dingell’s letter to Secretary Kerry can be read in full below.

The Honorable John Kerry

Secretary

U.S. Department of State

2201 C St. NW

Washington, DC 20520

Dear Secretary Kerry:

The ongoing situation in Yemen is dire and further action must be taken by the U.S. Department of State to ensure the safety of American citizens living in the country.  As you are aware, Michigan’s Twelfth Congressional District has a significant Yemeni-American population and they are concerned for the well-being of their loved ones, many of whom are trapped in the country during ongoing hostilities.  It is critical to prioritize the evacuation of American citizens from Yemen as the State Department continues to evaluate U.S. policy in the region.

We are hearing daily from Yemeni-Americans, most of them constituents.  Some of them are stuck in Yemen themselves and others have family living in Yemen with no ability to get help.  These U.S. citizens in Yemen have nowhere to turn, and we have a responsibility to protect them.  It is heartbreaking to hear these stories of loved ones stranded in a war zone.  We have an obligation to make every possible effort to safely evacuate U.S. citizens from conflict zones. 

The safety of U.S. personnel in the region is our shared priority, and I am not advocating for any action that would put American troops or personnel in harm’s way.  It is also a fact that evacuations become more difficult when our embassy and other facilities in the country are closed.  We need to find a solution that provides for the evacuation of U.S. citizens from Yemen without putting our troops at risk.  It is critical that we work with our allies in the region to explore alternative options for the safe evacuation of U.S. citizens in Yemen.  We are also hearing that the State Department is not receiving enough information about my constituents who are stuck in Yemen, and that Americans in Yemen are not receiving accurate information about ongoing efforts.  Working with Members of Congress and local community groups to improve communications regarding any future evacuation plans will help alleviate this concern.

Protecting Americans living abroad is one of the most important missions of the State Department.  I urge you to make the evacuation of U.S. citizens stranded in Yemen a top priority.  Please let me know what I can do to be of assistance in this matter, and I look forward to working with you.

Sincerely,

Debbie Dingell

Member of Congress