CAIR-Georgia Calls on President Trump and Sec. Pompeo to Bring Home U.S. Students Trapped in Peru Under Martial Law

(ATLANTA, GA, 3/20/2020) – The Georgia chapter on the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Georgia) today called on President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to immediately seek the quickest, safest, and most efficient way to bring home 15 American students who are currently trapped in Peru under martial law. 

SEE: Letter Addressed to President Trump and Secretary Pompeo 

On Monday, March 16, the Peruvian government gave all foreign nationals a 24-hour notice to gather their belongings and return to their home nations. At 11:59 p.m. that night, the Peruvian government instituted a 15-day mandatory quarantine and a hard stop on all people coming in and out of the country. 

While other governments successfully coordinated with the Peruvian government to return their citizens home, many Americans, including a group of 15 American students, are still trapped in Peru. 

The students have limited supplies and are fearful they may be stuck in the country far longer than the current 15-day quarantine. Attempts by the students to receive assistance from the United States government in returning home failed. 

SEE: College Students Stranded in Peru After Borders Closed for 15 Days in Effort to Stop Coronavirus from Spreading 

In a statement, CAIR-Georgia Legal and Policy Director Murtaza Khwaja said: 

“Our nation’s officials cannot allow Americans to be held against their will by a foreign government. Such an abdication of their duties compromises the safety of all Americans traveling abroad and it emboldens other foreign governments to act against Americans interests. 

“These students deserve to come home. If other governments are able to arrange a safe transport back for their citizens, certainly the United States government should be able to do the same.” 

CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims. 

La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensióndel Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.

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CONTACT: CAIR-Georgia Legal & Policy Director Murtaza Khwaja, 404-432-8847, [email protected]