The massive prisoner swap involving the U.S. and Russia nearly two weeks ago provided closure for some American families, but a number of U.S. citizens are still being wrongly held overseas. 

What You Need To Know

  • The massive prisoner swap involving the U.S. and Russia nearly two weeks ago puts a spotlight on the plight of Austin Tice, a freelance journalist from Houston, who was abducted in 2012 while reporting on the civil war in Syria

  • On Wednesday, which marked 12 years since Tice's abduction, the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal and other news outlets ran ads calling on U.S. officials to do everything possible to bring Tice home and several Texas lawmakers in Congress sought to put pressure the Biden administration to prioritize Tice's return

  • In a statement, President Joe Biden said he has repeatedly pressed Syria's government to work with the U.S. 

  • Tice’s loved ones and supporters said they rejoice when other detained Americans return home and after 12 years, they hope their family will soon be whole again

A concert Wednesday at the National Press Club in Washington marked 12 years since Austin Tice, a freelance journalist from Houston, was abducted while reporting on the civil war in Syria. His family and U.S. officials believe he is still alive.

The concert featured Scotty Hasting, a rising star in country music and an Army veteran of the War in Afghanistan. Tice is a veteran of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

“There is more to be done to help a fellow veteran be able to come home, back to the U.S.,” Emily Wilkins, the 117th president of the National Press Club, told Spectrum News. “He shouldn't be detained. He did nothing wrong, and he deserves to be with his mom, his dad and all of his siblings.” 

The commemoration came nearly two weeks after the largest prisoner swap involving the U.S. and Russia since the Cold War. Three Americans and a permanent U.S. resident were among those freed from Russian detention. They are Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, former Marine Paul Whelan, Alsu Kurmasheva, a Russian American reporter with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, and Vladimir Kara-Murza, a Russian-U.K. citizen who was critical of the Kremlin.

Their release was the result of a lengthy, painstaking negotiation involving a half-dozen countries.

“I think to a certain extent, they give us a lot of hope to see that another journalist, two other journalists, wrongfully detained, that were able to be released. It shows the power of our government. It shows kind of what we are able to do through advocacy, through awareness,” Wilkins said.

Tice was a 31-year-old freelance reporter for the Washington Post, McClatchy News and other news outlets when he went missing in Syria in 2012. A native of Houston, he was last seen in a video released in September of that year surrounded by unidentified armed men.

On Wednesday, the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal and other news outlets ran ads calling on U.S. officials to do everything possible to bring Tice home. 

Many Texans in Congress from both parties have been outspoken. Rep. Al Green, D-Houston, told Spectrum News he spoke with Austin Tice’s father, Marc, on Wednesday morning.

Green said he had a statement from the Tice family, which reads, “We are so glad Evan, Alsu, Paul and Vladimir were released from Russia. It was one of the most complex deals in history. Brittany Griner was released in a historic deal involving multiple complicated events. The Iranian hostages were released in exchange for frozen Iranian assets. So as a family, we ask, ‘when is it Austin's turn?’ It cannot possibly be any more complicated for him.”

Green said that the Tice family has “waited long enough” and he believes “it's time to bring Austin home.”

“It's a matter of will. I think the way is there for us, but we have to have the will to bring him home, as we brought others home,” Green continued.

Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, led more than a third of the Senate in a bipartisan letter last week urging the Biden administration to prioritize Tice’s return. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, also signed on.

“As a beloved son, brother, Eagle Scout, journalist, and veteran, Austin represents the best our nation has to offer, and we are committed to working with you to return him to his loving family. As an American and a veteran, Austin deserves the full and active support of our government to secure his release. We also encourage your administration to utilize all available means to further discourage the hostage taking of American citizens,” the letter reads.

Tice has been held captive for three presidential administrations.

“We have repeatedly pressed the government of Syria to work with us so that we can, at last, bring Austin home. Today, I once again call for his immediate release. The freedom of the press is essential, and journalists like Austin play a critical role informing the public and holding those in power accountable,” President Joe Biden said in a statement.

Biden said he stands in solidarity with Tice’s family, and that he has personally met with Tice’s parents, including his mother Debra Tice. “She has always been passionate, been poised and been eager to do whatever she needs to do to get the job done,” Wilkins said. “I'm honored to be fighting alongside of her.”

Tice’s loved ones and supporters said they rejoice when other detained Americans return home and after 12 years, they hope their family will soon be whole again.