Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs

Account for the Office of Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs (SPEHA) at the @StateDept.

[Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs @StateSPEHA]

The Department of State updated the Travel Advisory for mainland China to add the “D” risk indicator due to the serious risk of wrongful detention of Americans in China. https://t.co/S9Ydr8YEnv

[Tommy Pigott @statedeptspox]

Over 110 Americans unjustly detained overseas have been brought home.

When President Trump says his priority is the safety and security of the American people at home and abroad, he means it.

[Department of State @StateDept]

Today, Stephen Hubbard is heading home.

Stephen is finally back in America with his loved ones after enduring four years of unjust detention. Our nation celebrates his return and offers him our prayers as he begins this next chapter of his life. Because of President Trump's leadership, more than 100 Americans have been freed from captivity and returned home.

The Trump Administration will always work tirelessly to secure the release of Americans unjustly detained abroad and will continue its campaign to free those who are still wrongfully detained.

[Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs @StateSPEHA]

“It takes a network to fight a network.”

The networks built since October 7 have strengthened the international community’s ability to confront hostage-taking. Today, SPEHA joined HRFC Director David Cotter at the Shabtai Shavit World Summit on Counter-Terrorism to discuss lessons learned and the work ahead.

On this third anniversary, we remember the victims and mark the first October 7 anniversary with all hostages home.

[TravelGov @TravelGov]

Do not travel internationally with cannabis or cannabis-derived products, including marijuana, THC, CBD, edibles, vape cartridges, oils, concentrates, or other cannabis products.
❗ U.S. citizens are subject to local laws. Just because a cannabis, THC, or CBD product is legal in your home state does not mean you can take it abroad. This includes prescribed medical marijuana.
❗ Many countries impose severe criminal penalties for possessing cannabis or cannabis-derived products. Before you travel, always research local laws and review prohibited items for your destination at https://t.co/2UcjXiXclu.
❗Even if cannabis is legal or decriminalized where you're going, bringing it or any cannabis-derived products across an international border can result in arrest or other criminal penalties.
❗ Always pack from a completely empty bag. Americans have been arrested after unintentionally bringing cannabis products into another country, including edibles, vape cartridges, oils, and concentrates. Check all suitcase compartments and pockets carefully before traveling.

[TravelGov @TravelGov]

Legal in the United States does NOT mean legal everywhere.

Americans are subject to local laws when traveling abroad. Be VERY careful not to accidentally pack any medications, THC/CBD products, weapons, ammunition, etc. that may be legal at home but are banned in your destination country.

Always look up local laws for your destination at https://t.co/2UcjXiXclu before you pack.

[Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs @StateSPEHA]

@USAmbUN and international colleagues are all echoing the same message at
UNGA this week: PEOPLE ARE NOT BARGAINING CHIPS. Together, we will continue working to bring our people home and end the abhorrent practice of hostage diplomacy. 🇺🇸🇧🇪🇩🇪🇱🇹🇰🇷🇨🇦🇬🇧🇦🇷

[Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs @StateSPEHA]

The risks outlined in the China Travel Advisory are not hypothetical. American academics, Youlin Chen and Min Zin, traveled to China for academic and professional reasons. Both are now wrongfully detained. We call for their immediate release. Hostage diplomacy has no place in the U.S.-China relationship.

[Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs @StateSPEHA]

The China Travel Advisory was updated to include more information on risks to U.S. citizens surrounding Chinese arbitrary enforcement of local laws, surveillance, exit bans and unjust detention or arrest. Learn more: https://t.co/zEgs3JDKzB

[Ambassador Mike Waltz @USAmbUN]

For 14 years, Debra Tice—Austin Tice’s mother—has never stopped looking for her son.

Austin Tice is not forgotten. We will keep working to find him and bring him home.

[FBI Director Kash Patel @FBIDirectorKash]

FBI is thrilled to join our partners confirming Kevin Rideout, the American missionary who was abducted by terrorists on October 21, 2025 in Niger, is now free.

He is in good care of U.S. officials and will soon be reunited with his family.

The FBI and our brilliant partners in the Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell have worked tirelessly since last October when Kevin was abducted and today is a culmination of that work and the work of this administration. We are proud that Kevin was successfully recovered and want to thank our partners across the interagency - @SecRubio, @SecHegseth, and more who operated around the clock to secure his safe recovery.

[Sebastian Gorka DrG @SebGorka]

Two rescues in one week.

That is power and dedication of President @realdonaldtrump.

No American left behind.
@whitehouse

[Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs @StateSPEHA]

Kevin Rideout is free! Thanks to the commitment of @POTUS and @SecRubio Kevin joins the more than 100 unjustly detained Americans who have returned home under this administration. We will not stop until every unjustly detained American is home.🇺🇸

[Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs @StateSPEHA]

Fourteen years later, our commitment to bring Austin Tice home has not changed. We remain focused on resolving this case and securing his return.

[FBI Washington Field @FBIWFO]

Today marks the 14th year of Austin Tice's detention by the former Syrian regime.

The #FBI remains committed to finding the truth about Austin's detention. We continue to evaluate information and develop leads, including efforts to recover his possessions, which could provide details concerning his captivity. While stories about Austin's status have been widely published, the FBI's focus is establishing the facts and securing Austin's return.

We continue to offer a reward of up to $1 million for information leading to his return. If you have information about Austin's current whereabouts, the details of his detention, or those responsible, email [email protected] or submit a tip via https://t.co/NGk6gzdQ6H. You can also contact your local FBI office or the nearest U.S. Embassy. https://t.co/fzbazpElsr

[США по-русски @USApoRusski]

Роберт Гилман снова дома после более чем четырёх лет под стражей в России.

Его освобождение стало первым за долгое время возвращением американского гражданина, не связанным с обменом.

США продолжают добиваться освобождения других американцев, которые остаются несправедливо удерживаемыми за рубежом. 🦅🇺🇸

[Secretary Marco Rubio @SecRubio]

Today, after more than four years of detention in Russia, Robert Gilman is on his way home to be reunited with his family. Mr. Gilman joins over 100 Americans whom President Trump has freed during his second term in office.

We thank Russia for working with Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to release Mr. Gilman and allowing him to receive the necessary medical treatment here in the United States.

While we appreciate this positive step, we are still seeking the immediate return of all other unjustly detained Americans, including wrongful detainee Stephen Hubbard. The President will not stop until all unjustly detained Americans are home.

[Rapid Response 47 @RapidResponse47]

🇺🇸

[Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs @StateSPEHA]

Robert Gilman is free 🇺🇸 After 4+ years in Russian detention; he's headed home. This is what our mission looks like — and we won't stop until Stephen Hubbard, and every unjustly detained American in Russia joins him.

[Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs @StateSPEHA]

Today marks four years since the disappearance of American Mahmood Shah Habibi. There is no reason for this case to remain unresolved. We remain committed to bringing Mahmood home and are ready to take the necessary steps to secure his return. A reward of up to $5 million remains available for information leading to his location, recovery, and return.

[FBI Most Wanted @FBIMostWanted]

The #FBI seeks information regarding the disappearance of Mahmood Shah Habibi in Afghanistan in August of 2022. A reward of up to $5 million is offered for information leading to his location, recovery, and return: https://t.co/2n2bynpygz

[Department of State @StateDept]

SECRETARY RUBIO: "We're always concerned about wrongfully detained Americans everywhere in the world."