U.S. Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day, 2026

Proclamation 11016 of March 9, 2026

U.S. Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day, 2026

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

This U.S. Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day, we extend
our prayers and support to every American captive
forced to spend days, months, or years in harrowing
darkness and confinement. To every American unjustly
held abroad--we will not waver in our commitment to
bringing you home safely and securely.

Since returning to office, I have worked tirelessly to
deliver on my promise to leave no American behind. In
just 1 year, we have secured the release of 101
detained Americans abroad--a record-breaking
achievement. We have successfully brokered a historic
peace deal between Israel and Gaza to deliver all
remaining hostages to their families and loved ones;
secured the release of more than a dozen wrongfully
detained Americans from Venezuela following our
decisive action against the Maduro regime; and overseen
the freedom of hostages from Afghanistan, Russia, and
Belarus. No longer will their days be marked by tallies
on the wall; instead, they will be marked by long-
awaited reunions with family, the freedom to rebuild
their lives, and the lasting contributions they will
make to their communities and our Nation.

This year especially, we also remember that, 47 years
ago, the brutal Iranian regime seized power on the
backs of American hostages. Over the course of the
nearly five decades since, Iran has routinely and
cruelly detained innocent Americans to use as leverage
against weak Presidents of the past. Under my
leadership, we are finally putting an end to this evil
practice.

Despite our tremendous progress, our work on behalf of
peace will not be complete until every American being
held hostage or wrongfully detained is liberated. My
Administration is executing a foreign policy of peace
through strength, backed by the mightiest military on
earth and an unwavering commitment to defend American
lives, safety, and interests. I recently signed an
Executive Order to enhance our efforts to protect
United States citizens from wrongful detention abroad
by expanding our methods to take action against foreign
actors who threaten the safety of our citizens. The
Secretary of State may now designate any foreign
country as a State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention and
impose firm retributions such as sanctions, travel
restrictions, and the inadmissibility of foreign
nationals into our country. Iran was the first State
Sponsor of Wrongful Detention to be designated under
this new authority. For as long as I am President, the
United States will never yield to our enemies--and when
we find them, they will be met with swift justice.

For 250 years, America has stood as a beacon of freedom
across the world--undaunted, unbroken, and unshaken in
our commitment to preserving our strength. We will
never cease our efforts to defend the dignity of the
human person and the enduring promise of liberty for
all. Today and every day, we pray for God to place His
protecting hand over every brave hostage and wrongful
detainee, their loved ones, and our glorious Nation.

The Congress, by Public Law 118-31 approved December
22, 2023, has designated March 9 of each year as ``U.S.
Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day.''

NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the
United States of America, do hereby proclaim March 9,
2026, as U.S. Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day. On
this day, as we fly the Hostage and Wrongful Detainee
flag at the White House, I call upon the people of the
United States to observe this day with relevant
programs, ceremonies, and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
ninth day of March, in the year of our Lord two
thousand twenty-six, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and fiftieth.