Chet Hanks broadcast a passport fiasco from Medellín, revealing how a last-minute detour and expired U.S. documents left him begging followers to “free me” while U.S. entry rules block his way home.
Chet Hanks touched down in Colombia for what was meant to be a quick stop on his way back from Puerto Rico—and learned the hard way that dual citizenship doesn’t spare travelers from strict U.S. re-entry rules.
What Went Wrong
The Running Point star arrived in Puerto Rico to celebrate a friend’s birthday, then decided to hop over to Medellín to visit another pal. Because his American passport was “about to expire,” he chose to travel on his Greek passport—a move allowed by many countries but not by the United States for its own citizens.
When Chet attempted to check in for his return flight, airline staff informed him that Greek passport holders must show a U.S. green card to board. Chet doesn’t possess one; as the son of Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, he is a natural-born American citizen.
“They tell me that if I’m using a foreign passport, I need a green card to get back into America,” Chet said in a Friday Instagram clip. The airline refused to issue a boarding pass, leaving him “literally stuck.”
Why U.S. Law Trumps Dual Passports
Citizens who hold multiple nationalities must present a valid U.S. passport to enter or leave the country. The State Department website is explicit: a traveler “must be in possession of a U.S. passport” regardless of how many other passports they carry.
Airlines face steep fines for transporting passengers who lack proper documentation, so gate agents in Colombia were simply enforcing federal guidance. The only workaround is an in-person interview at a U.S. consulate to obtain an emergency passport—a step Chet hopes to avoid by not traveling to the embassy in Bogotá.
Timeline of the Detour
- Arrival in Puerto Rico: February 21, 2026 (birthday celebration)
- Spontaneous Colombia side trip: Tuesday, February 24
- Attempted departure: Friday, February 27—denied boarding
- First public video: Same evening, pleading “free me”
- Update to fans: Sunday, March 1 (“Estamos bien, no te preocupes”)
Industry Fallout and Fan Chatter
Colombians quickly filled comment threads with advice: a local attorney offered pro-bono assistance, while travel bloggers highlighted Medellín’s U.S. consular outreach hours. Memes comparing Chet to The Terminal (ironically starring his father) flooded TikTok.
Meanwhile, Hollywood insiders weighing scheduling for the newly ordered second season of Running Point told People that MGM+ had not yet moved production dates but is monitoring Chet’s situation.
What Happens Next
Chet has three realistic options:
- Travel to Bogotá and visit the U.S. Embassy for an emergency passport, usually issued within 24–48 hours.
- Wait in Colombia while someone couriers his nearly-expired U.S. passport—though many carriers won’t accept passports valid for less than six months.
- Lean on a diplomatic fix via his parents’ entertainment-law representatives, a route many fans jokingly urged in comments.
Until he chooses, the actor says he is “chillin'” in a Medellín gym but admits he has “no idea” how long the standoff will last.
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