§1741d Authorization of imposition of sanctions

Summary

The President may punish a foreign person who the President finds, on good evidence, either took or ordered the hostage-taking or illegal detention of a U.S. national abroad, or who knowingly gave money, goods, technology, or other support for those acts. The punishments can block that person from entering the United States or getting a visa, cancel any visas they already have, and block or freeze their property and transactions in the United States using the powers in the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The IEEPA section 202 rules do not apply here. Anyone who breaks the property-blocking rules or related orders faces the penalties described in subsections (b) and (c) of IEEPA section 206 (50 U.S.C. 1705). The President may also use the authorities in IEEPA sections 203 and 205 (50 U.S.C. 1702 and 1704) to carry out these actions. Sanctions do not apply to activities covered by title V of the National Security Act or to authorized U.S. intelligence actions. Entry bans will not apply if bringing the person in is needed to meet the U.N. Headquarters Agreement or other international duties, or to help U.S. law enforcement. The President can end sanctions if he finds the person did not do the act, was properly prosecuted, has shown real change and paid appropriate consequences, or if ending sanctions is in U.S. national security interests. If the President ends sanctions under the noted termination rule, he must give a written justification to the appropriate congressional committees within 15 days. The law does not allow or require sanctions on imported goods. Definitions: “foreign person” means a foreign citizen or an entity not organized solely under U.S. law; “United States person” means U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, entities organized under U.S. law (including their foreign branches), or any person in the United States.