Trump Signs Executive Order to Blacklist Countries That Illegally Detain Americans

President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office of the White House, Friday, Sept. 5, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Washington, D.C., September 5, 2025 — President Donald Trump signed an executive order today establishing a "state sponsor of wrongful detention" designation, a bold move aimed at punishing countries that illegally detain American citizens. The order, signed in the Oval Office, grants the U.S. government new tools to impose sanctions, visa restrictions, and other penalties on nations deemed to be engaging in "hostage diplomacy." The measure is intended to deter foreign governments from using Americans as political bargaining chips and to strengthen efforts to secure their release.

The executive order authorizes Secretary of State Marco Rubio to designate countries as state sponsors of wrongful detention, enabling punitive measures such as economic sanctions, export controls, and travel bans for officials of offending nations. It also extends penalties to countries supporting non-state actors or terrorist groups involved in such detentions. "We are drawing a very clear line in the sand," a senior administration official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. "You will not use Americans as bargaining chips."

While no countries were immediately named for the blacklist, administration officials indicated that nations like China, Iran, and Afghanistan are under review due to their histories of detaining Americans for political leverage. The Foley Foundation’s 2024 report noted that at least 54 Americans were wrongfully detained or held hostage across 17 countries last year, underscoring the urgency of the issue.

Trump criticized the previous administration’s approach, claiming it left U.S. citizens vulnerable to arbitrary detentions abroad. "The United States must strengthen efforts to protect U.S. nationals from wrongful detention abroad," Trump wrote in the order. "The United States Government is committed to using every tool available to curb this coercive tactic used by foreign adversaries." The president highlighted his record of securing the release of 72 Americans during his second term, including high-profile cases like Paul Whelan and Marc Fogel, both freed from Russia in 2024.

Paul Whelan, a former Marine detained in Russia for over five years, praised the order as a strong deterrent. "This is a good start and would be a powerful deterrent if truly enforced against rogue regimes such as China and Russia," Whelan told NBC News. He urged additional measures, including compensation for victims using frozen assets from offending nations and improved post-release support for returnees. Sarah Levinson, daughter of Robert Levinson, who died in Iranian custody after being wrongfully detained in 2007, also expressed support, stating, "This must never happen again."

The order builds on a 2022 Biden administration executive order that declared wrongful detentions a national emergency and introduced visa bans and sanctions for associated individuals. The Trump administration’s new designation, however, is modeled after the state sponsor of terrorism list, allowing for broader and more immediate action without lengthy congressional processes. It also allows for designations to be lifted if countries release detainees, reform policies, and demonstrate they will not engage in future wrongful detentions.

Nonprofit organizations, such as Global Reach, welcomed the move. CEO Mickey Bergman called it a step that "will put real teeth behind the U.S. government’s efforts to bring home detained Americans and deter offending nations." However, some critics, including advocacy groups, expressed concerns about potential overreach, though the order focuses narrowly on wrongful detentions rather than broader immigration policies.

The executive order comes amid heightened U.S. focus on detainee issues, with ongoing cases in countries like Iran and Venezuela, where prisoner swaps have been a common resolution. Secretary Rubio, in a post on X, described the order as "unprecedented action to protect Americans," warning that nations attempting to use U.S. citizens as leverage would face "severe consequences."

As the U.S. implements this new policy, the international community is watching closely. The blacklist could strain diplomatic relations with designated countries and impact global travel and trade. With wrongful detentions remaining a persistent challenge, the Trump administration’s aggressive stance signals a new chapter in its efforts to protect Americans abroad.