WATCH: American Held Captive By Taliban For More Than A Year Sets Foot On U.S. Soil

Dennis Coyle, an American held hostage by the Taliban in Afghanistan since January 2025, set foot on U.S. soil on Wednesday morning after his release was secured by President Donald Trump.

After landing in San Antonio, Texas, Coyle was reunited with his family, who had spent nearly 14 months working to help secure his release.

Dennis Coyle is BACK on U.S. soil and reunited with his family after more than a year in Taliban captivity.

Promises made, promises kept 🇺🇸 https://t.co/PXTlHw6FTR pic.twitter.com/wB2uZURqs7

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) March 25, 2026

“Today, our hearts are filled with overwhelming gratitude and praise to God for sustaining Dennis’ life and bringing him back home after what has been the most challenging and uncertain 421 days of our lives,” Coyle’s family wrote on Tuesday.

The family went on to thank Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, along with several officials involved in the release, including Dr. Sebastian Gorka.

“The countless hours of negotiations, unwavering support, and determination demonstrated by all involved have not gone unnoticed, and we will forever hold this kindness in our hearts,” the statement continued.

Coyle’s return to America comes two months after NewsNation host Katie Pavlich asked Trump about his case. At the time, Trump vowed to “take care of it.”

After the Taliban took control of Afghanistan following former President Joe Biden’s disastrous withdrawal from the country, numerous American citizens were abducted by the Taliban and held without charges, with some hostages remaining in custody for nearly three years.

Coyle had lived in Afghanistan for nearly 20 years as an academic researcher and maintained valid visas and work permits during his time there. After his capture, his family raised concerns about his health, noting he was unlikely to receive adequate medical care. Americans held hostage by the Taliban are typically allowed only minimal contact with family and the outside world.

Coyle became the sixth American hostage to be released by the Taliban since Trump returned to the White House in January 2025. Ryan Corbett and William McKenty were freed last January, following negotiations initiated under the Biden administration and carried out under Trump. Then, in March of last year, George Glezmann and Faye Hall were released, and Amir Amiri was freed in September after nine months in captivity.

At least two Americans are still believed to be in Taliban custody: Afghan-American Mahmoud Habibi, a former Afghan civil aviation official abducted in 2022, and American author Paul Overby, who was last seen in Afghanistan in 2014 while researching a book.