The current status of the ten American missionaries detained in Haiti is the topic of many politicians. Amarillo resident Jim Allen's status is no different. U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison released a statement today regarding Allen's status.
"The devastation in Haiti was overwhelming. Americans responded to the disaster with tremendous generosity and kindness. I am very pleased that the Haitian courts have recognized that Jim Allen and his companions were there for purely humanitarian reasons and their motivation was simply to help children devastated by the earthquake."
She went on to say, "Our office is working closely with Congressman Mac Thornberry and Idaho Senator James Risch in discussions with the State Department. Jim Allen can be proud of the way his friends in Amarillo stood by him, especially Les Simpson, the publisher of the Globe News, who has been tireless in his advocacy on Jim's behalf."
"Jim is now entering his third week of detention, under difficult conditions. I urge the State Department and Haitian authorities to work together to resolve this issue quickly so Jim can be reunited with his family and so that all our attention can be turned to the important task of helping Haiti recover from this horrible disaster."
Friday morning a report came out that the ten missionaries may spend the weekend locked up in Haiti. Despite the fact that a judge recommended their provisional release.
The prosecutor who got the case Thursday afternoon told The Associated Press he would respond to the judge by next week. All public offices are closed Friday, the quake's one-month anniversary that is a national day of mourning.
