Trump Signs Order to Combat Wrongful Detention of Americans
President Donald Trump has signed an executive order aimed at designating certain nations as state sponsors of wrongful detention. This measure, introduced on July 21, 2023, seeks to deter the unlawful detention of Americans abroad by leveraging the threat of sanctions against countries that engage in such practices.
The executive order allows the U.S. State Department to impose penalties on nations classified under this new label. These penalties may include economic restrictions and visa limitations for individuals involved in wrongful detentions, as well as travel restrictions for U.S. citizens to those countries. Marco Rubio, Secretary of State, emphasized that “no nation should want to end up on this list,” highlighting the strategic importance of the designation.
Targeting Nations and Groups
The order is designed to facilitate penalties against countries that either block or restrain American citizens. It also seeks to impose significant consequences on those nations that fail to release detained U.S. nationals. Sebastian Gorka, senior director for counterterrorism on the National Security Council, stated, “With this EO you are signing today, you are drawing a line in the sand that U.S. citizens will not be used as bargaining chips.”
While specific countries have not yet been officially named under this designation, senior administration officials indicated that China, Afghanistan, Iran, and Russia could potentially face sanctions. Notably, the order also allows for the designation to apply to groups that control territory, even if they are not recognized as governments.
Support from Advocacy Groups
Global Reach, a nonprofit organization advocating for the return of wrongfully detained Americans, commended the executive order. CEO Mickey Bergman remarked, “This designation is something that will put real teeth behind the U.S. government’s efforts to bring home detained Americans and deter offending nations from engaging in ‘hostage diplomacy.’” He highlighted that while the previous administration managed to return approximately 75 individuals over four years, the Trump administration has already facilitated the return of 72 people within just 228 days of taking office.
Bringing home Americans detained abroad has been a key focus for the Trump administration. In July, the government orchestrated a three-nation swap, successfully securing the release of ten jailed U.S. citizens and permanent residents from Venezuela in exchange for migrants deported to El Salvador.
This year has seen the return of seven Americans identified as wrongfully detained in Venezuela. Notably, a Russian-American woman convicted on treason charges for a relatively small donation to a charity aiding Ukraine was released by Russian authorities in April during a prisoner swap. A similar exchange in February resulted in the release of an American teacher detained in Russia on drug charges.
As the Trump administration continues its efforts to combat wrongful detentions, the executive order represents a significant step toward protecting U.S. citizens abroad. The potential for sanctions may serve as a deterrent to nations that consider using Americans as leverage in geopolitical negotiations.
