Account for the Office of Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs (SPEHA) at the @StateDept.
Washington, DC
Joined November 2018
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Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs retweeted
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.
“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.
Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs retweeted
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 travel.state.gov/destination.
❗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.
ALT Infographic that says: Don’t risk Being arrested abroad. Do not travel internationally with cannabis or cannabis-derived products, including marijuana, THC, CBD, edibles, vape cartridges, oils, concentrates, or other cannabis products. Many countries impose severe criminal penalties for possessing these items and American travelers are subject to these local laws. Even if cannabis is legal or decriminalized where you're going, bringing it across an international border can result in arrest or other criminal penalties. Don't risk it. Always review the local laws for your destination: travel.state.gov/destination
Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs retweeted
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 travel.state.gov/destination before you pack.
ALT Graphic with State Department reminder: Legal in the U.S. does not mean legal everywhere. Check local laws at travel.state.gov/destination
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: travel.state.gov/en/internat…
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 retweeted
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.
Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs retweeted
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.
Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs retweeted
Two rescues in one week.
That is power and dedication of President @realdonaldtrump.
No American left behind.
@whitehouse
Fourteen years later, our commitment to bring Austin Tice home has not changed. We remain focused on resolving this case and securing his return.
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 tips.fbi.gov. You can also contact your local FBI office or the nearest U.S. Embassy. fbi.gov/wanted/kidnap/austin…
Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs retweeted
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. 🦅🇺🇸
Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs retweeted
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.
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.
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.
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: fbi.gov/wanted/kidnap/mahmoo…
Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs retweeted
SECRETARY RUBIO: "We're always concerned about wrongfully detained Americans everywhere in the world."
Happy 11th anniversary to the Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell (HRFC). Since its creation, the HRFC has played a critical role in bringing home Americans held hostage overseas and supporting families awaiting their loved one’s return. We are grateful for our strong partnership and look forward to continuing this important work together.
Today marks the 11th anniversary of the Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell, a multi-agency team dedicated to recovering American hostages abroad and supporting the families whose loved ones are being held captive. The FBI remains committed to working with our federal and international partners to return Americans being held captive home and bring their captors to justice.
ALT Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell Seal featuring a bald eagle over a globe with the American flag background and the motto 'One Mission...One Voice'.
Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs retweeted
Read more on our Destination Information Page for China: travel.state.gov/en/internat…
