H.R. 4179: Countering Wrongful Detention Act of 2025

This bill, named the Countering Wrongful Detention Act of 2025, aims to equip the U.S. government with additional methods to prevent foreign nations and non-state actors from unlawfully detaining U.S. citizens for political leverage. Below is a breakdown of the key components of the bill:

Designation of Foreign Countries

The bill empowers the Secretary of State to designate a foreign country as a "State Sponsor of Unlawful or Wrongful Detention" under specific circumstances. These include:

• The detention of a U.S. citizen occurs within the foreign country.
• The government or non-state actor in the foreign country does not release a detained U.S. national within 30 days after being informed by the U.S. Department of State.
• Evidence that a government is complicit in or supports such detentions.
• Past actions by a state or non-state actor that indicate a threat to U.S. citizens abroad.

Process and Oversight

Once a country is designated, the Secretary of State must provide:

• Justification for the designation.
• A report on actions taken by the U.S. to prevent such detentions.

Additionally, Congress must be notified and may disapprove the designation. If no congressional approval is received within six months, the designation automatically terminates.

Responses to Designated Countries

The bill requires the Secretary of State to review and decide on measures to respond to countries designated for wrongful detention. This may include:

• Economic sanctions under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
• Visa restrictions.
• Trade restrictions under various federal laws.
• Limiting assistance to the foreign government.

Reporting and Monitoring

Congress is to receive regular updates, including annual briefings on relevant countries and activities aimed at preventing wrongful detentions. The Secretary of State is also required to maintain a publicly accessible list of designated countries and the steps taken to combat unlawful detentions.

Consultation with Private Sector

The bill encourages engagement with private entities involved in travel and security to ensure better dissemination of travel advisories and to address wrongful detention issues effectively.

Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act Update

It contemplates potential revisions to the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act to allow exceptions for cases involving states engaged in wrongful detentions.

Rule of Construction

The bill clarifies that not every U.S. citizen detained in a designated country should be automatically considered wrongfully detained.

Relevant Companies

None found.