• Trump's executive order aims to penalize countries wrongfully detaining U.S. citizens.
• The measure could impose travel restrictions and sanctions on offending nations.
• At least 54 Americans have been reported wrongfully detained in 17 countries in 2024.
• The State Department will have enhanced tools to address wrongful detentions.
• This order is modeled after the designation for state sponsors of terrorism.

The Trump administration plans to sign an executive order establishing a designation for "state sponsors of wrongful detention." This new measure is intended to hold foreign nations accountable for the unlawful detention of U.S. citizens and protect Americans traveling abroad. It will allow the State Department to impose penalties on countries that use American hostages as political leverage and may include travel restrictions to discourage visits to high-risk areas, according to CBS News and India Times.

According to the Foley Foundation, at least 54 Americans were wrongfully detained in 17 countries during 2024. The State Department maintains a travel advisory system with four levels of risk; currently, 21 countries, including Iran, Afghanistan, and Russia, are listed at the highest warning level, "Level 4: Do not travel." This designation indicates that wrongful detention remains a significant risk for American travelers, based on information from India Times and BBC.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized the importance of this action in a statement, calling it "unprecedented" in its potential to impose consequences on nations that wrongly detain citizens. He noted that countries classified as state sponsors of wrongful detention could face various penalties, including economic sanctions and visa restrictions, according to information from BBC, CBS News, and India Times.

The executive order builds on the Robert Levinson Act, which allows the State Department to assess wrongful detentions based on factors such as the fairness of a country's judicial system. Rubio's statement highlights that "anyone who uses an American as a bargaining chip will pay the price," reinforcing the U.S. government's resolve to protect its citizens abroad, as noted by BBC and India Times.