President Donald J. Trump has signed an Executive Order aimed at strengthening the protection of U.S. nationals from wrongful detention abroad. The order authorizes a series of measures against foreign governments and entities that engage in or support the wrongful detention of Americans.
According to the new directive, the Secretary of State is now empowered to designate any foreign country as a State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention if it is found to be involved in such activities. The Secretary can take actions such as imposing sanctions, restricting travel, controlling exports, and declaring nationals from those countries inadmissible under existing laws. The order also covers non-state actors who control significant territory and are involved in wrongful detentions.
The order includes provisions for removing the designation if a foreign government releases wrongfully detained Americans, shows changes in leadership or policy regarding wrongful detentions, and provides credible assurances against future incidents.
President Trump criticized previous policies on this issue: “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. Biden’s weakness resulted in 24 more Americans taken captive than rescued in four years.”
He added: “Wrongful detentions violate the rule of law and exploit American citizens, with cases like Marc Fogel’s detention in Russia lasting over three years. 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.”
Trump emphasized his administration’s efforts since returning to office: “President Trump has consistently advocated for a strong, America First foreign policy that deters adversaries from targeting U.S. nationals.”
He cited recent cases where his administration secured releases: “Since returning to office, President Trump and his Administration have secured the release of 72 detained Americans abroad, including: Marc Fogel—an American teacher who was wrongfully detained in a Russian prison for years—returned home in February, making good on a promise President Trump made to Fogel’s 95-year-old mother, Malphine. Ksenia Karelina—an American ballet dancer who was wrongfully detained in a Russian penal colony for 14 months—returned home in April. Keith Siegel—an American held hostage by Hamas for 484 days—was freed in February. George Glezmann—an American held by the Taliban in Afghanistan for 836 days—was freed in March, joining Americans Ryan Corbett and William McKenty, who were released on the night of President Trump’s inauguration. Edan Alexander—a U.S.-Israeli dual citizen who was held hostage by Hamas for 584 days—returned home in July.”
The executive order aims to deter future incidents by increasing pressure on those responsible for wrongful detentions.