Title 22 › CHAPTER 52 — FOREIGN SERVICE › SUBCHAPTER IV — COMPENSATION › § 3970
Agency heads may pay money to a current or former foreign national employee (or someone hired under a personal services contract) who was imprisoned by a foreign government when the Secretary of State decides the imprisonment happened because of the person’s U.S. employment. For CIA employees, the Director of Central Intelligence decides. Payments cannot be more than what the agency head thinks equals the salary and benefits the person would have gotten while imprisoned. The Secretary of State sets the rules for how payments are made. Agency heads may use the same authorities they have under subchapter VII of chapter 55 of title 5, as long as those fit this rule. Time spent imprisoned that is paid under this rule counts as government employment time for other benefits, except it is not creditable for subchapter III of chapter 83 of title 5 unless that subchapter says so, and it is not creditable for subchapter I of chapter 81 of title 5 unless the person was employed when imprisoned. Claims must be filed within 3 years after the imprisonment ended or within 3 years after the claimant’s first opportunity to file, as the agency head decides. The Secretary of State may write regulations that apply to all agencies about these payments.
Full Legal Text
Foreign Relations and Intercourse, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Legislative History
Reference
Citation
22 U.S.C. § 3970
Title 22, Foreign Relations and Intercourse
Last Updated
Sep 22, 2026
Release point: 119-110