US WNBA basketball superstar Brittney Griner arrives to a hearing at the Khimki Court, outside Moscow on July 7, 2022.US WNBA basketball superstar Brittney Griner arrives to a hearing at the Khimki Court, outside Moscow on July 7, 2022.

President Joe Biden will sign an executive order that will expand the administration's tools to deter hostage-taking.

Financial sanctions and visa bans will be imposed on people involved in hostage taking if the executive order is implemented.

A senior Biden administration official who spoke on the condition of anonymity said that the executive order reflected the administration's commitment to the families in particular.

A senior administration official said that the president has been willing to make tough calls when it comes to bringing home Americans.

The State Department will introduce a new risk indicator called the letter "D" on travel advisories to inform Americans of the risk of being wrongly held by a foreign government.

The executive order comes as the Biden administration tries to get the release of a basketball player. The pro basketball player was arrested at a Russian airport in February on suspicion of trying to smuggle drugs.

As the Kremlin prepared for war in Ukranian, the Biden administration described the arrest of Griner as wrongful. She faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted after pleading guilty to drug charges.

The Olympian wrote a letter to Biden asking for help with her case.

Biden and Harris spoke with the wife of the vice president.

According to a White House readout of the call, Biden reassured her that he was working to get her husband out of prison. He said on the call that he is working on the release of the U.S. Marine who is in Russia.

The United States and Russia agreed to exchange prisoners in April.

Reed was accused of attacking a Russian officer and was taken into custody. He was sentenced to nine years in Russia. Reed and his family have always maintained his innocence.

For Reed's release, Biden agreed to free Yaroshenko, who was sentenced to 20 years for conspiracy to smuggle cocaine into the United States.