§1741d Authorization of Imposition of Sanctions

Summary

The President can punish a foreign person who takes or wrongfully holds a U.S. citizen abroad, or who knowingly gives money, goods, technology, or other help to people who do that. Punishments can block that person from getting visas or entering or being paroled into the United States, revoke any current visas (and cancel other valid visas immediately), and freeze or block their property in the United States or property controlled by U.S. persons using powers under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act without needing a national emergency declaration. There are exceptions for authorized U.S. intelligence work and when letting someone in is necessary to follow the U.N. Headquarters Agreement (signed June 26, 1947, entered into force November 21, 1947) or to help U.S. law enforcement. Breaking the property-blocking rules brings IEEPA penalties. The President can stop the sanctions if there is proof the person did not do it, if the person was properly prosecuted, if the person shows real change and has faced consequences, or if ending sanctions is in U.S. national security interests. If sanctions are ended, the President must send a written explanation to the relevant congressional committees within 15 days. The President may use other IEEPA powers to carry out the law. The law does not allow sanctions on the import of goods. Definitions in short: “foreign person” means a foreign citizen or an entity not organized only under U.S. law; “United States person” means a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, a U.S.-organized entity (including foreign branches), or anyone in the United States. "Good" means a physical article or product, not technical data.