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U.S. officials have been pressuring the Turks and Caicos government to release their constituents.

In mid-May, the governors of Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and Virginia sent a joint letter to Turks and Caicos Gov. Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam to release Watson, Hagerich and Wenrich.

\"This action will create the necessary recognition of your laws that will impact the future actions of travelers and continue our mutual interest in justice and goodwill between our jurisdictions,\" the letter read.

\"PHOTO:
Turks and Caicos Islands, Governors Office/Facebook
PHOTO: A United States Congressional delegation meets with government officials in Turks and Caicos, May 20, 2024.
>

A State Department official confirmed on May 23 that foreign service officers had met with Hagerich and Watson on several occasions since their arrests.

A bipartisan congressional delegation also traveled to Turks and Caicos to address the fate of the five Americans charged with local officials on May 20.

Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin, one of the members of the delegation, told \"Good Morning America\" that he left the meetings feeling like they \"didn't find a real path forward\" and are considering next steps if they can't reach a solution.

\"We thought we could find some type of common ground to separate the two -- ones with the intent and one with no criminal intent,\" Mullin said. \"We weren't able to get to that conclusion. So their whole point was that, let the system work.\"

Mullin said the next step might be warning American citizens about traveling and doing business in Turks and Caicos.

\"I don't think we're to that point. But if we can't come to a solution, that's the next option for us,\" he said.

Turks and Caicos' response

The Turks and Caicos attorney general has said the firearms ordinance applies to all those on the islands, \"regardless of status or origin.\"

Following the meeting with the congressional delegation, the Turks and Caicos governor's office said in a statement that the government has \"clear laws prohibiting the possession of firearms and/or ammunition and strict penalties are in place to serve and protect all who reside and visit the Turks and Caicos Islands.\"

The office said the government officials \"appreciated that the circumstances for U.S. nationals who find themselves in this position can be difficult but were aware that U.S. officials are providing consular support to each of the individuals.\"

\"Where the court finds there are exceptional circumstances, the sentencing judge does have discretion, under the law, to impose a custodial sentence and a fine that are fair and just in the circumstances of each case,\" the governor's office added.

ABC News' Stefan Joyce contributed to this report.

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