Bipartisan bill introduced to hold foreign actors accountable for wrongful detention of Americans
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced legislation this week aimed at deterring foreign governments and nonstate actors from wrongfully detaining American citizens and permanent residents.
The Countering Wrongful Detention Act of 2025, introduced by U.S. Representatives Tom Kean Jr. (R-NJ), French Hill (R-AR), Mike Lawler (R-NY), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), and Jared Moskowitz (D-FL), would establish a formal designation for countries or entities that engage in such detentions and give the Secretary of State authority to impose diplomatic and economic penalties.
“My constituent, Sarah Moriarty, lost her father, Robert Levinson, after he was taken hostage by Iran in 2007,” said Rep. Kean. “Sadly, far too many American families have lived through that same kind of fear and heartbreak. Hostile regimes like Iran continue to use innocent Americans as bargaining chips. This legislation makes clear there will be consequences.”
Rep. Hill said wrongful detentions are not just personal tragedies but “a direct attack on the United States,” adding that the bill strengthens the State Department’s ability to “hold bad actors accountable while keeping Congress firmly engaged.”
The bill empowers the Secretary of State to designate countries or nonstate groups as state sponsors of unlawful or wrongful detention, mirroring the framework currently used for state sponsors of terrorism. These designations would trigger penalties and must be approved by Congress within six months to remain in effect. Congress would also have the power to terminate a designation via joint resolution.
Rep. Lawler called the act “a strong step toward protecting Americans held hostage by rogue nations,” while Rep. Gottheimer emphasized its role in bringing home detained citizens and preventing future hostage-taking. Rep. Moskowitz, referencing his constituent Robert Levinson’s years of captivity in Iran, said the bill “puts real tools in place that’ll crack down on this practice.”
Sarah (Levinson) Moriarty, Co-Founder of R.A. Levinson & Associates and a fellow at the New America Future Security Program, said the bill represents a “giant leap forward” in deterring wrongful detentions. “We hope to see this legislation passed by Congress and swiftly signed into law,” she said.
As part of the legislation, the Secretary of State is directed to brief Congress on whether the following countries should be considered for designation: China, Russia, Iran, Afghanistan, Eritrea, Nicaragua, Syria, Venezuela, and Belarus.
The lawmakers said the bill aims to protect Americans and ensure their government has the tools necessary to respond swiftly and forcefully to wrongful detentions abroad.
