I call upon the Biden Administration to prioritize the release and safe return of journalist and Marine veteran Austin Tice. Austin was reporting on the conflict in Syria when he was arrested in 2012. Since then he has been detained in secret and in silence. 

This month Austin turns 40. He has spent most of his 30s in prison. It is well past time for him to come home.

Austin traveled to Syria to document the conditions that were leading to the greatest refugee crisis since WWII. At the time very few journalists were working in Syria because of the danger involved. The world was not getting the story of what was happening on the ground. Austin worked for McClatchy Newspapers, The Washington Post and CBS News as a freelancer. He was arrested and detained because he was a journalist. If Austin is allowed to be held it shows that journalism can be stopped by throwing journalists in prison. His detention serves to intimidate journalists from covering events in the Middle East. Austin has been detained longer than any other U.S. Journalist. The United States must show it is committed to protect American journalists from hostage taking and committed to bringing hostages home. 

In September 2020, representatives from the US government met with representatives of the Syria government to discuss the framework of a deal to free Austin. The ball is now in the court of the United States and they must respond and continue the discussion. The Biden Administration must prioritize Austin's release. He must come home! May it be soon.