U.S. President Donald Trump has signed a new executive order designed to deter foreign governments and actors from what his administration describes as the “wrongful detention” of American citizens abroad.
In a statement released on Friday, the U.S. Department of State said the order authorizes unprecedented measures against offenders, warning that “severe consequences await nations or actors who detain Americans unjustly.”
The directive introduces a new designation, “State Sponsors of Wrongful Detention,” carrying penalties such as economic sanctions, visa restrictions, limits on foreign aid, and potential travel restrictions for U.S. passport holders.
“No nation should want to end up on this list,” the statement cautioned, likening the measure to the existing “State Sponsor of Terrorism” designation. “The bottom line: Anyone who uses an American as a bargaining chip will pay the price.”
The administration said the move reflects its broader commitment to safeguarding U.S. citizens worldwide. “This administration is not only putting America first but also putting Americans first,” it added.
