President Donald J. Trump has signed an Executive Order aimed at increasing protections for U.S. nationals who are wrongfully detained abroad. The order gives the Secretary of State new authority to designate foreign countries as State Sponsors of Wrongful Detention if they are involved in or support such actions against Americans.
According to the White House, this designation enables the Secretary of State to implement a range of responses, including sanctions, travel restrictions, inadmissibility for nationals from those countries, export controls, and other measures under existing law. The goal is to deter foreign governments and non-state actors from detaining American citizens as a coercive tactic.
The Executive Order also allows for lifting the designation if a country releases wrongfully detained U.S. nationals and demonstrates policy changes with credible assurances against future violations. It extends these provisions to entities that control significant territory but may not be officially recognized as governments.
"Under the Biden Administration, our adversaries learned that they could take Americans as bargaining chips and that little to nothing would be done about it," states the fact sheet released by the White House. "Biden’s weakness resulted in 24 more Americans taken captive than rescued in four years." The statement further notes cases such as Marc Fogel’s detention in Russia lasting over three years as examples of wrongful detentions used against U.S. citizens.
"This Order gives the Secretary of State the ability to leverage existing tools against those adversaries to protect Americans abroad and proactively combat this coercive tactic," according to the administration.
The White House emphasizes President Trump's commitment to bringing home every American who is wrongfully detained overseas. "President Trump has consistently advocated for a strong, America First foreign policy that deters adversaries from targeting U.S. nationals," says the release.
Since returning to office, President Trump and his administration report securing the release of 72 detained Americans abroad. This includes Marc Fogel—an American teacher held in Russia—who returned home in February; Ksenia Karelina—a ballet dancer held in Russia—who was freed after 14 months; Keith Siegel—held by Hamas for 484 days—released in February; George Glezmann—detained by the Taliban for 836 days—freed in March along with Ryan Corbett and William McKenty; and Edan Alexander—a dual U.S.-Israeli citizen held by Hamas for 584 days—returned home in July.
For more details on this executive action: https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/09/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-strengthens-efforts-to-protect-u-s-nationals-from-wrongful-detention-abroad/