Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Strengthens Efforts to Protect U.S. Nationals from Wrongful Detention Abroad

Summary — Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Strengthens Efforts to Protect U.S. Nationals from Wrongful Detention Abroad

President Trump signed an Executive Order empowering the U.S. government to respond forcefully against wrongful detentions of Americans abroad. The order allows the Secretary of State to designate countries as State Sponsors of Wrongful Detention, triggering measures such as sanctions, travel restrictions, export controls, and inadmissibility of nationals. The designation can be lifted if detainees are released and credible assurances are provided to prevent future violations. The order also applies to non-state actors who control territory.

The White House framed the move as a correction to what it called Biden-era weakness, arguing adversaries exploited Americans as bargaining chips. Trump reaffirmed his “America First” commitment to bringing U.S. citizens home, citing the release of 72 Americans since returning to office. High-profile cases include:

• Marc Fogel, American teacher detained in Russia for over 3 years (released Feb. 2025).
• Ksenia Karelina, ballet dancer detained in Russia for 14 months (released Apr. 2025).
• Keith Siegel, hostage of Hamas for 484 days (freed Feb. 2025).
• George Glezmann, detained by the Taliban for 836 days (freed Mar. 2025), joining Ryan Corbett and William McKenty freed on Inauguration Night.
• Edan Alexander, U.S.-Israeli held by Hamas for 584 days (returned Jul. 2025).

The administration argued the policy strengthens U.S. sovereignty, deters adversaries, and ensures wrongful detentions are no longer viable tools of coercion.