Tom Hanks’ son, Chet Hanks, says he’s currently unable to leave Colombia after running into passport trouble that has left him stranded abroad.
In a video shared to Instagram, the actor and musician explained that his travel plans took an unexpected turn after he flew to Medellín following a birthday celebration in Puerto Rico. What was meant to be a casual visit with a friend quickly turned into a stressful situation when he attempted to fly out of the country.
Hanks said he entered Colombia using his Greek passport, noting that he holds dual citizenship. He chose not to use his U.S. passport because it was close to expiring, which he believed could cause issues while traveling. However, when he arrived at the airport for his departing flight, airline staff informed him that using a non-U.S. passport means he would need additional documentation to re-enter the United States.
“They tell me that if I’m using a foreign passport, I need a green card to get back into America,” he said in the video. “I don’t have a green card because I’m an American citizen, so I’m literally stuck in Colombia.”
Hanks emphasized his frustration with the situation, saying he’s unsure how to resolve it and needs assistance from the U.S. Embassy. The nearest embassy that can help him is located in Bogotá, the country’s capital, which would require additional travel.
“I literally have no idea what I’m gonna do,” he said. “Free me. I’m an American citizen.”
Despite the setback, Hanks acknowledged that Medellín isn’t the worst place to be stranded, but he made clear he’s eager to return home. It remains unclear how long the situation will take to resolve or when he’ll be able to travel back to the United States.