The Trump administration is set to issue an executive order designating "state sponsors of wrongful detention" to penalize countries that illegally detain or hold American citizens as hostages, CBS News reports.

Modeled after the state sponsors of terrorism framework, the order would empower the State Department with sanctions and travel restrictions to deter such actions.

The Foley Foundation reports at least 54 Americans were wrongfully detained in 17 countries in 2024, with 21 nations, including Iran, Russia, and North Korea, currently under a "Level 4: Do Not Travel" advisory.

The Robert Levinson Act, passed during Trump’s first term, supports this move, named after the retired FBI agent who died in Iranian custody after his 2007 kidnapping. His daughter, Sarah Levinson, praised the effort, saying, “This must never happen again.”

High-profile cases, such as the 2024 release of journalist Evan Gershkovich and Marine veteran Paul Whelan from Russia, and the detention of Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan in Nigeria in 2024, highlight the issue.

Whelan called the order “a good start” if enforced against rogue regimes.