As the war in Gaza and Israel heats up Americans have been advised by the State Department to leave the country for their own safety. It was the same with Ukraine and Sudan and Niger and etc etc etc…..
That is the State Department and the embassy doing their job keeping American citizens as safe as possible.
But is it a service or a business?
When American citizens find themselves caught in a foreign country amid a war or natural disaster, the U.S. government sometimes swoops in and rescues them from harm’s way — but it isn’t free. Before they can board the ship or plane, the people being rescued must sign a document promising to repay the U.S. Department of State for the expenses accrued in the process.
“I clearly understand that I am accepting evacuation of my own free will and at my own risk to a location chosen by the U.S. Government,” the U.S. Department of State form begins. Later, it says, “I promise to repay the U.S. Government in U.S. dollars or the foreign currency equivalent, within 30 days of initial billing, and if not repaid within 60 days of initial billing at an interest rate established in accordance with Federal law, for all applicable expenses for my/our evacuation.” While it might seem a little harsh — people are being forced to sign a promissory note while fleeing a potentially deadly situation — it’s been the law of the land since 1956.
Even before requiring evacuees to repay the government became a law, it appears that it was standard practice, even during World War II, per the Austin-American Statesman. The American government bases the reimbursement cost on what the evacuee would pay for a “full fare economy flight, or comparable alternate transportation” to the destination of the government’s choosing, which is rarely the U.S., according to the U.S. Department of State website.
The protocol is to send evacuees to the nearest safe neighboring country, or even a safer part of the country they’re fleeing. When an evacuee arrives at their destination, they’ll have to pay for their accommodations and any connecting flights. Evacuees may be able to get an emergency loan. “For U.S. citizens who need emergency financial assistance at the evacuation destination, you may ask a consular officer to help you apply for a loan to help with the costs of your accommodations and/or other essential expenses,” the U.S. State Department reads. But again, it’s a loan that will need to be paid back.
If a U.S. citizen can’t afford to pay off the promissory note, the Department of State “at its discretion” may give the evacuee the option for an installment plan, per the U.S. Department of State form. If the evacuee still doesn’t repay the fee, the government can prevent that person and their family members from getting a U.S. passport. In some cases, the Department of State has waived reimbursements during evacuations. In 1990, the U.S. government picked up the tab for citizens fleeing Iraq and Kuwait during the Gulf War. Similarly, in 2006, the government didn’t require evacuees from Lebanon to pay back travel costs.
“In an emergency, when people are in danger, your life is at risk, it’s not the time to be forcing people to sign away their life’s savings,” Richard Goldberg, senior advisor at the nonpartisan think tank Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told The National Desk. “It’s the time to be getting people out of harm’s way.” Members of Congress have attempted to amend the law over the years — but without success.
(grunge.com)
Let me see if I get this right…..the US has cash to pay foreign governments budgetary crises and to pay their officials but not for t6he protection of American lives….is that about it?
Seriously?
Our priorities are getting damn right obscene.
I Read, I Write, You Know
“lego ergo scribo”
While we pour more money (and 2 more Iron Domes to Israel), over 20 of our military have been injured in Iran and Syria and I don’t hear Biden saying diddley about it.
They do not feed the coffers….sadly chuq
😬
I wasn’t aware that people were charged for being rescued. Did that apply during the evacuation of Kabul, I wonder?
Best wishes, Pete.
Good question….I found this outrageous….money for every nation but little for its own citizens. chuq
I don’t have a strong opinion on the matter (for a change). This rule has been in place (I’ve heard) for roughly 79 years. Plenty of Administrations could have changed it. But I also question the requirement that we transport any and every Citizen from around the world when crises arise. People need to make informed decisions about where they travel, the rules and laws in that area, and be willing to make their own way to safety if something arises that threatens their safety.
“Informed”….that is not happening….like the idiots that go hiking and die because they are not prepared…..I still have a problem with the program…..chuq
Yep. But consenting adult have the right to choose to be stupid.
True and they have the right to die for that stupidity. chuq
The amount of loot this costs is trivial compared with the total spent by the US in a year. I imagine the Republicans fuss about paying these peoples’ way when Democrats are in charge but not when they are.
That seems to be the only time “cheap” is in fashion for that party. Yes, there needs to be some discretion when people travel or live abroad, with a plan – and funds – made for those times safety and escape are necessary.
Reality is, most of us aren’t prepared for natural or man-made disasters because we have a “won’t happen here to me” mentality or recognition that the probability of that hurricane hitting Florida – oops! poor example! – is low or war in Israel – oops! another poor example – is low, so why make plans?
Does paying unprepared Americans’ way back to safety in America – oops! just reporting another mass shooting by a mental case in Maine, another poor example – really register as a problem?
I think it is pathetic….money for every corner of the world but our own people are held at bay by the desire for cash. chuq
People should do a lot of checking up on the countries they plan to move to to see how safe it is before they ever pack the first bag– my opinion is that when people take risks they ought to know the possible consequences.
I agree but laziness will prevent any know;ledge getting through. chuq
exactly!
So it’s like 3:30 AM and I can’t get back to sleep for some stupid reason so I decided to go through my junk mail folder and found my email program decided to stick this in there, so this is a couple of days late…
I honestly had no idea that the US charges people to evacuate them. I have mixed feelings about that. I’m a firm believer in personal responsibility. And there are a lot of stupid people in the world. I mean just look at the US Congress. If, through your own fault, you get in trouble and need to be rescued, I think you ought to pay the costs. But at the same time a lot of people who are stuck in these parts of the world aren’t there because they want to be, they’re there because their job or family situation requires them to be there.
So if the person is there for legitimate reasons through no fault of their own, then I think it’s unconscionable for the US to charge these people.
On the other hand, there are a lot of self promoting, egotistical “Ooo, look at MEEE!” jerks out there who deliberately place themselves in dangerous situations to get the perfect selfie for Instagram or video for Youtube, make believe “journalists”, etc. Them? Personally I’d leave ’em there and send their survivors a nice wreathe or something, but that’s about it.
But then, well, hey, I’m running on about 4 hours sleep here so I’m more grouchy than usual. So sorry about that.