The Trump administration has designated Afghanistan as a state sponsor of wrongful detention, making it only the second country to receive that label. The move is aimed at pressuring the Taliban to stop abducting Americans.

The announcement came on Monday (March 9), which marks U.S. Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day. The designation opens the door for the U.S. to impose travel restrictions on Afghanistan, similar to those already in place for North Korea, where American citizens cannot travel on U.S. passports without special government approval.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a sharp statement condemning the Taliban's actions. "The Taliban continues to use terrorist tactics, kidnapping individuals for ransom or to seek policy concessions," he said. "These despicable tactics need to end."

Rubio specifically called out the cases of two Americans still held in Afghanistan: Dennis Coyle and Mahmoud Habibi. "The Taliban needs to release Dennis Coyle, Mahmoud Habibi, and all Americans unjustly detained in Afghanistan now and commit to cease the practice of hostage diplomacy forever," he said.

Habibi was detained in August 2022. The Taliban has never acknowledged holding him. The State Department is currently offering up to $5 million for information leading to his location, recovery, and safe return. His brother, Ahmad Habibi, said he met Monday with Sebastian Gorka and special envoy Adam Boehler, and came away with a hopeful message. "Both gave me assurances that President Trump will not leave my brother behind," Ahmad Habibi said. "The Taliban need to admit what we already know — that they have my brother — so we can move forward in bringing him home to his wife and young daughter."

Coyle was detained in January 2025. His family says he has not been charged with any crime and has been held in solitary confinement. Rubio met with Coyle's family on Monday, and his sister, Molly Long, praised the new designation. "We have great confidence in this administration," she said, also thanking Gorka and Boehler "for prioritizing Dennis's freedom and for working relentlessly to bring him home safely."

The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations separately called out Afghanistan for engaging in what he called "hostage diplomacy" on the same day the designation was announced.

Afghanistan is only the second country to receive this designation. Iran was the first, earning the label just one day before the U.S. launched military operations against that country in late February.

The WHO Morning News with Jeff Angelo