Bill to help stranded Americans abroad introduced

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Thousands of Americans trapped overseas due to coronavirus-related travel restrictions could see some relief from airfare reimbursements if a bill introduced in Congress Monday passes.

The bill, introduced by Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-NY) and Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), would waive fees for Americans overseas who need evacuation assistance from the U.S. Department of State.

Current law allows the State Department to coordinate evacuation for Americans who are unable to obtain commercial travel. As of Tuesday, at least 13,500 Americans were trapped abroad waiting for help to get home. As the spread of the coronavirus pandemic reaches all parts of the globe, travel restrictions and closed borders have left some traveling abroad – like tourists or students – unable to find a way home.

But the law also requires that any American who uses the State Department’s assistance pay the government back. In many cases, Americans are required to sign a promissory note to pay the cost of a full-fare economy flight or comparable alternate transportation. Some Americans, the Congresswoman’s office said, have been asked to pay more than $1,400 per seat on these flights.

“In the middle of this crisis, it is unconscionable that our government would foist enormous travel fees on stranded Americans who are desperate to get home and reunite with their families,” Velázquez said. “This bill is meant to send a message to the State Department to waive these fees, immediately.”

Velazquez’s bill would eliminate those fees.

“In the case of a communicable disease for which the Federal Government has issued a travel alert or travel warning, the reimbursement requirements under subsections (b)(2)(A)(ii) and (d) shall not apply,” the bill reads.

The State Department is expected to charter 16 flights around the world to repatriate some 1,600 people, according to the New York Times.

“This legislation would provide important relief for American citizens stranded abroad due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Smith, who has been assisting American citizens trapped abroad as countries have shut down international travel. “As the coronavirus pandemic disrupts the lives of Americans here at home, we cannot forget our fellow Americans overseas who are cut off from their families and using what resources they have left to cover the costs of unplanned extended stay in a foreign land.”