No Passports for Terrorists and Traffickers Act
No Passports for Terrorists and Traffickers Act would amend the Passport Act of 1926 to give the Secretary of State clearer authority to deny or revoke U.S. passports for individuals connected to foreign terrorist organizations. Specifically, it targets those who have been charged with or convicted of providing material support to such organizations, or who are determined to have knowingly aided, abetted, or otherwise supplied material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization. The bill also creates limited exceptions and a formal process for review and restoration, and it requires reporting to Congress about any denials or revocations. In short, the bill expands the criteria and procedures for restricting international travel for individuals tied to terrorism, while preserving due process protections and some humanitarian considerations. Key features include automatic revocation (subject to exceptions), a right to a hearing within 60 days, a pathway to restore a passport if acquitted or if the Secretary revises a prior determination, and a requirement to report to Congress within 30 days of any denial, revocation, issuance, or cancellation. The bill defines “material support” broadly ( personnel, financing, equipment, safehouses, training, etc., but excluding medicine or religious materials) and clarifies that a passport card is included in the term “passport.”
Key Points
- 1Ineligibility and revocation: The Secretary of State must refuse to issue a passport to individuals charged with or convicted of certain terrorism-related offenses (18 U.S.C. 2339A or 2339B) or who knowingly provided material support to an organized foreign terrorist group designated under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
- 2Exceptions to revocation: If needed to facilitate a person’s return to the United States, the Secretary may limit or issue a passport that permits only return travel to the U.S.; humanitarian or emergency situations may warrant a passport issuance despite ineligibility.
- 3Right of review: A person denied a passport or whose passport is revoked can request a hearing within 60 days.
- 4Right to restoration: If acquitted or if the Secretary changes a prior determination, the passport may be reissued.
- 5Reporting and transparency: The Secretary must report the denial, revocation, issuance, or cancellation to the House and Senate Foreign Affairs/Foreign Relations committees within 30 days, with the option to present classified or unclassified versions.
- 6Definitions and scope: “Passport” includes a passport card; “material support” covers a wide range of tangible or intangible assistance (currency, lodging, training, false documents, equipment, weapons, etc.) but excludes medicine or religious materials. The measure also includes a severability clause and a provision to protect First Amendment rights.