The Trump administration has designated Afghanistan as a state sponsor of arbitrary detention

Secretary of State Marco Rubio formally designated Afghanistan as a state sponsor of arbitrary detention on Monday, paving the way for the Trump administration to impose restrictions such as sanctions and export controls as punishment for the Taliban’s arbitrary detention of Americans.

The appointment allows the power created by executive order in September to be used by the Trump administration. Along with the sanctions, there may be travel restrictions applied to US passport holders who want to travel to the country.

“The Taliban continues to use terrorist tactics, kidnapping people for ransom or seeking political approval. These despicable tactics must stop,” Rubio said in a statement announcing the decision.

“It is not safe for Americans to travel to Afghanistan because the Taliban continues to arbitrarily arrest Americans and other foreigners,” the statement continued. “The Taliban need to release Dennis Coyle, Mahmoud Habibi, and all Americans wrongfully detained in Afghanistan now and commit to ending the practice of human trafficking forever.”

Afghanistan is the second country to receive this designation after Iran was labeled on Feb. 27, the day before the US and Israel launched a joint attack on the Islamic Republic.

“They see the American people as an asset that they can take and trade in the future,” Rubio said at an event Monday at the State Department. “That cycle has to stop, which is why this article exists now.”

US government officials, former American prisoners and their families were hosted by the State Department on Monday to mark National Arrest and Wrongful Incarceration Day, which occurs every year on March 9. The national flag of wrongfully imprisoned Americans and hostages was raised outside the State Department on Monday as families of prisoners looked on from the top floor of the building.

At the event, Special Envoy for Hostage Response Adam Boehler said the administration has helped repatriate 175 people, including 100 Americans, wrongfully detained abroad since the start of President Trump’s second term.

Among the Americans currently imprisoned in Afghanistan is 64-year-old Dennis Coyle, a student from Colorado. he was captured just six days after Ryan Corbett, another American, was released at the beginning of President Trump’s second term. Coyle was detained by the Taliban General Directorate of Intelligence in a cell near him and, according to his family, has never been charged.

Coyle’s sisters, Molly Long and Amy Sessions, met with Rubio on Monday in Washington, a family attorney told CBS News.

“We are very grateful [Secretary Rubio’s] leadership in holding the Taliban accountable for wrongfully imprisoning my brother, Dennis Coyle,” Long said in a joint statement with CBS News. “We have high hopes for this administration – especially Secretary Rubio, Dr. Sebastian Gorka, and Adam Boehler – for prioritizing Dennis’ freedom and working tirelessly to bring him home safely. We remain hopeful and grateful.”