Decline to set free around America (6)
I believe the answer is:
refuse
'decline' is the definition.
(I know that decline can be written as refuse)
'set free around america' is the wordplay.
'set' is an anagram indicator (instruction to set the letters).
'around' indicates putting letters inside.
'america' becomes 'US' (United States).
'free' is an anagram of 'refe'.
'refe' going around 'us' is 'REFUSE'.
'to' is the link.
(Other definitions for refuse that I've seen before include "Say no to - waste" , "deadwood" , "Decline waste material" , "Decline to accept garbage" , "Turn away" .)