The case of U.S. Marine Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi, imprisoned in Mexico after allegedly making a wrong turn and mistakenly crossing the border, is beginning to garner awareness, thanks in part to social media and the #MarineHeldInMexico hashtag.
The active U.S. Marine reservist who served two combat tours in Afghanistan was moved to El Hongo [penitentiary] after spending over a month in the notorious La Mesa prison in Tijuana. Tahmooressi was detained in the early morning hours of April 1st as Mexican officials surrounded his black Ford F-150 pick-up loaded with everything he owned – including three registered firearms – after he made a wrong turn and ended up in Mexico.
Tahmooressi, who had three firearms in his car, is being held on weapons charges. Mexican officials will hear testimony May 28 from the border guards who arrested Tahmooressi, although his family and U.S. officials would like him released and returned to the U.S. immediately.
The #MarineHeldInMexico hashtag has taken off in the last few days as cable news — and Fox News’ Greta Van Susteren in particular — push for action from the U.S. government.
@EPN @PresidenciaMX it's time to let our #MarineHeldInMexico out NOW!!! @gretawire
— David Ramos (@DavidCloudRamos) May 22, 2014
A U.S. Marine held in a Mexican jail & not a single Tweet or selfie with a hashtag from @WhiteHouse. #MarineHeldInMexico #FreeTahmooressi
— jason (@jnauman) May 22, 2014
#FreeAndrewTahmooressi #MarineHeldInMexico
— ACBassKat (@ACBassKat) May 22, 2014
MT
@jkestner77 #THETXEMBASSY @RedNationRising #MarineHeldinMexico #ReleaseTahmooressihttp://t.co/0CwTE5CHSm pic.twitter.com/pSmP3FmvMM— ◆ Ron Murphy ◆ (@THETXEMBASSY) May 22, 2014
@gretawire #MarineHeldInMexico sad how this very man fought for our freedom, but America won't fight for his freedom #AndrewTahmooressi
— Tammy (@mylilguppy) May 22, 2014
#MarineHeldInMexico John Kerry and Pres Obama need to do what's right and bring Sgt Tahmooressi home now
— L Babcock (@LBabcock2) May 22, 2014
#MarineHeldInMexico Boy. We treat undocumented Mexicans like kings. Let him out!!
— Karen P (@podkaren) May 22, 2014
#MarineHeldInMexico nearly 2 mos. Mexicans intentionally enter US & get tax-funded benefits. Americans mistakenly enter Mexico & get jailed.
— JCW14all (@jcw14all) May 22, 2014
https://twitter.com/7CrownsIV/status/469618492871024641
https://twitter.com/BaylesofHay15/status/469618487527493632
Explain to me @WhiteHouse how USMC Sgt Andrew Tahmooressi is still in MEXHELLCO #MarineHeldInMexico #BoycottMexicoTourism
— Mary Beth Barbagallo (@TheRealMaryBeth) May 22, 2014
#MarineHeldInMexico Where's Obama? What's he or his adm doing for this military servant? USA has lost world respect for 6 yrs. FREE him NOW
— CJS (@CJS_28) May 22, 2014
https://twitter.com/aaltobun/status/469619086926692353
#MarineHeldInMexico, Outraged over Sgt. Tahmooressi being held in a Mexico prison. Boycott tourism to Mexico.
— Pat Arnold (@PatArnold42) May 22, 2014
https://twitter.com/LoneStarDiary/status/469618989757239296
Wondering if Obama knows about #MarineHeldInMexico
— Patriot Chick (@patriot_chick01) May 22, 2014
Undocumented American in Mexico gets imprisoned. Undocumented Mexican in the U.S. gets benefits. Boycott Mexico. #MarineHeldInMexico
— SonRise Pilgrim (@SonRisePilgrim) May 22, 2014
@gretawire I'm sure the president is mad as hell about this now. 6 weeks now. About right.#MarineHeldInMexico
— Bob (@rchris3821) May 22, 2014
If Kerry doesn't bring back our #MarineHeldInMexico, it's time to #ImpeachKerry
— Joe Walsh (@WalshFreedom) May 22, 2014
#MarineHeldInMexico What an outrage! Obama an epic failure again. Betcha Bush would have had him home in 3 days tops. With his guns!
— Chris Dresp (@blessedinnc) May 22, 2014
#MarineHeldInMexico c'mon Lurch and Barry. Get our Marine home.
— Radio Guy (@ski_nh) May 22, 2014
@gretawire where is the Hollywood hashtag brigade and selfies #freeourmarine #marineheldinmexico @flotus
— mamabooch (@mamabooch1) May 22, 2014
I must have mised @MichelleObama white card, sad face hash tag #MarineHeldInMexico
— not better off (@nopenochange) May 22, 2014
Sign the petition: Release Sgt. Tahmooressi from the Mexican Prison. http://t.co/xjcQQfWQ0c #MarineHeldInMexico #sot pic.twitter.com/ESMbHeKHQw
— Jeff Rainforth (@iResistAll) May 21, 2014
#MarineHeldInMexico Lt. Col Oliver North said it right, our marine is the only person in Mexico who can't get into the United States.
— Al Bdamn (@BdamnAl) May 22, 2014
San Diego Border Rally To Free Marine Sgt. Tahmooressi – Sat, May 31st https://t.co/5yLopvOOWJ #MarineHeldInMexico pic.twitter.com/1UN5nNGUbt
— Jeff Rainforth (@iResistAll) May 22, 2014
https://twitter.com/susan1429/status/469620253480058880
#MarineHeldInMexico boycott Mexico and their products. President grow a set and give Mexico ultimatum release marine or close the border
— U.S. Army (Retired) (@Inquisitor53) May 22, 2014
#MarineHeldInMexico We don't even treat illegals coming here INTENTIONALLY the way Mexico treats our citizens who end up there ACCIDENTALLY
— Sandra (@RepWmn) May 22, 2014
.@gretawire #obama wants to grant amnesty to 22mil illegal immigrants and yet hasn't the jeuvo's to step up to free one #MarineHeldInMexico
— Kinsman (@kinsman59) May 22, 2014
How many fundraisers has Obama been to in the last six weeks while our #MarineHeldInMexico has been waiting for help?
— Christy (@desertgardens) May 22, 2014
maybe the 50 senators who just sent a letter to #WashingtonRedskins owner abt changing their name could help our #MarineHeldInMexico instead
— Annema (@Ad40Dunn) May 22, 2014
‘I don’t think Kerry gives a damn’: Administration hammered for silence on Marine held in Mexico http://t.co/O3m2vRxmCp #MarineHeldinMexico
— Fox News (@FoxNews) May 22, 2014
Keep up the pressure! KEEP tweeting using #MarineHeldInMexico
— Greta Van Susteren (@greta) May 22, 2014