Countering Wrongful Detention Act of 2025

The Countering Wrongful Detention Act of 2025 amends existing law to provide the U.S. government with new tools to deter the wrongful detention of U.S. nationals abroad. It authorizes the Secretary of State to designate a foreign country as a "State Sponsor of Unlawful or Wrongful Detention" if it meets specific criteria. These criteria include the occurrence of such detentions, failure to release a detained U.S. national within 30 days of notification, or the government's complicity in or material support for such detentions. Upon designation, the Secretary must report to Congress and justify the decision, with the designation terminating after six months unless Congress approves it via a joint resolution. The Secretary can also terminate a designation if the country releases detained nationals, changes policies, or provides assurances. The bill mandates an initial briefing to Congress on specific countries, including Afghanistan, Iran, and Russia, to assess their potential designation. The legislation requires a comprehensive review of existing authorities to respond to designated countries, which may include applying visa restrictions , sanctions , or restrictions on foreign assistance and exports . It also allows for consideration of designating the country as a state sponsor of terrorism. To ensure transparency, the Secretary of State must publish and regularly update a public list of all designated foreign countries.