WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) released the following statement after the release of American wrongful detainee Ryan Corbett by the Taliban:

“I am relieved to hear that Ryan Corbett is returning home to his family after more than two years in captivity alongside another American previously held by the Taliban. Far too many Americans are held hostage or wrongfully detained around the world, and I was proud that during the four years of the Biden administration, more than 75 wrongfully held Americans were returned home. I am also grateful for the efforts of the Qatari government, which were instrumental in securing Ryan’s release. However, I am disappointed to see that this deal did not include the release of Americans George Glezmann and Mahmoud Habibi, who still suffer in Taliban captivity. I will continue to pray for their families and to fight for their swift release alongside the other wrongfully detained Americans held around the world.

“After more than two years in captivity, Ryan should not have to come home to a ruined credit score, depressed Social Security benefits, and fines and late fees from the IRS. Unfortunately, that is what awaits Ryan and all American hostages and wrongful detainees until Congress takes up and passes my bills designed to ease their reentry after gaining freedom. Ryan’s release underscores the importance of taking up and passing these bills without delay.”

Senator Coons is Co-Chair of the Senate Human Rights Caucus and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He has worked tirelessly to advance legislation that addresses the financial burdens Americans face when returning home from wrongful detention, including:

  • The Stop Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act with Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), which would end the practice of the IRS charging fines and late fees on hostages and wrongful detainees for their non-payment of taxes while held abroad. The bill cleared the Senate unanimously last year.
  • The Fair Credit for American Hostages Act with Senator Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), which would empower former hostages and detainees to restore credit scores that may have been negatively impacted during their detention. The bill passed the Senate unanimously last year.
  • The Retirement Security for American Hostages Act with Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-La.), which would ensure that hostages and wrongful detainees are not penalized when calculating their Social Security benefits. 
  • The Countering Wrongful Detention Act with Senator James Risch (R-Idaho), which will provide the government with new tools to deter state and non-state actors from wrongfully detaining Americans. Much of this bill was enacted as part of the fiscal year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act that President Biden signed in December, but several crucial components remain unpassed.