Thread by @AndyKimNJ

As we hit 72 hours away from Biden’s Aug 31 deadline for ending the evac mission, I’m still hearing from American Citizens, including a child, in Kabul that are terrified of being left behind. This is their story(protected) and why we must complete the mission. THREAD

I was alerted earlier this week to a family trying to flee, one of over 10,000 evacuation requests sent to my office. This family is a mix of American citizens/green card holders. They were outside one of the airport gates. They begged for someone to come out and get them. 2/13

There was a “crush of people” ahead of them. They have little kids and were concerned by the chaos surrounding them. But they didn’t want to leave because they were mere feet from reaching safety on the other side of the airport wall. 3/13

They also feared that the Taliban checkpoints they already crossed wouldn’t stay open if they left. Within minutes of receiving this request, I happened to be meeting in person with one of the most senior officials at the State Dept. 4/13

I asked directly for a phone number American citizens can call if in an emergency like this family stuck at the gate. If I could get a number I planned to excuse myself from the meeting and immediately send it to the family at the gate. I was told no such number exists.5/13

The family had to depart the gate area that night when their phone batteries started to die. They feared being separated without means of communication. Every day this week, the first thing I did the moment I woke up was to check to see if they got out. Still nothing. 6/13

Then they heard about the airport attack. 13 US brave marines killed, over 150 more murdered by cowardly terrorists seeking to shatter lives of innocent civilians for their deluded cause. 7/13
washingtonpost.com/national-secur…

Now the family waits. They tried one last time to get close to the airport walls, but warnings of additional violence urged them to go back to where they were staying. So they sit there now, gripping their phones ready to leave at a moment’s notice. 8/13

They are worried because of rumors that the airport gates are being sealed and the number of people able to get to the airport will soon be greatly reduced. Many people I talk to also legitimately fear the airport won’t be operational after the last US flight departs. 9/13

The family gets contacted time to time by someone from US gov asking if they are still safe, but no mention yet about any evacuation plans. Now, 72 hours away from deadline, I can’t imagine all that is going through their minds. 10/13

I reiterate, this is a family of US citizens and green card holders. I ask State Dept to please contact them immediately and tell them someone is on the way or get them instructions on where to travel (I will provide contact info direct again through secure channel). 11/13

There are more citizens/residents that I am hearing from, as well as thousands of Afghans - including those who served alongside our military that are reaching out in desperation in these final hours. 12/13

I have no doubt that our military/diplomats on ground are giving it their all without time to grieve the tragic loss of their compatriots. In these final hours, let us please promise this family and others that we will finish the mission and they will not be left behind. END