Sgt. Tahmooressi is currently being held in El Hongo II prison in Tecate, Mexico following his arrest in March.
Following his second visit with Sgt. Tahmooressi, representative Salmon issued a statement, “After visiting with Sergeant Tahmooressi for the second time in two weeks, I remain confident that his situation is improving and will end with his release in the near future. His spirits remain upbeat and he has full confidence in his new attorney. I once again expressed my heartfelt gratitude to Sgt. Tahmooressi for his military service, and relayed to him the overwhelming support he is receiving from millions across America. It remains a top priority that Sgt. Tahmooressi return to the U.S. to receive treatment for the PTSD he suffered while serving in Afghanistan. I ensured him that I will continue to do everything in my power to make sure his case is heard quickly and fairly.”
Salmon first visited Sgt. Tahmooressi in prison on May 31.
Earlier this month, Royce wrote a letter to Mexico’s Foreign Secretary, Dr. Jose Antonio Meade Kuribeña, expressing his concern about Sgt. Tahmooressi’s arrest and detention and urging a quick resolution.
The Obama administration has done little to assist the Marine, who reportedly got lost at the border and made a wrong turns into the Mexico customs lane with no way to turn back on April, 1, 2014. Tahmooressi is suffering from PTSD.
125,159 people have signed a petition demanding his release.
In his letter to Dr. Jose Antonio Meade Kuribeña dated June 4, 2014, Royce wrote, “Andrew Tahmooressi is a U.S. Marine Corps reservist who, after honorably serving two combat tours in Afghanistan, suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD.) Mr. Tahmooressi’s diagnosed PTSD presents itself in hyper-vigilance, memory and cognition lapses, and depression. His suicide attempt while incarcerated in the La Mesa penitentiary in Tijuana was a manifestation of this disorder, and underscores the need for this young man to immediately begin treatment at a clinic specialized in combat related PTSD in the United States of America.”
Royce concludes, “As Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, I am respectful of Mexico’s laws and sovereignty, and remain committed to advancing our bilateral relationship. Given the extenuating circumstances surrounding Mr. Tahmooressi’s erroneous arrival at the Mexican border, and the fact that he requires specific and immediate treatment for PTSD, I respectfully ask that you convey to the appropriate authorities in Mexico my fervent hope that his case be resolved expeditiously, so that he may begin treatment posthaste.”