SAFE Act
The SAFE Act would bar the use of federal money to pay foreign governments or foreign entities to detain individuals if a U.S. court has determined that the detention violates U.S. law. In plain terms, once a U.S. court finds that a detention abroad breaches U.S. law, the federal government would be prohibited from obligating or spending funds to cover the costs of that detention—whether the payment goes directly to a foreign government or to a foreign entity (including private groups) that detains someone. The prohibition applies to payments made directly or indirectly and defines “foreign entity” as any entity not organized under U.S. law or the laws of a U.S. jurisdiction. The bill is named the Stop Aid for Foreign Expulsion Act (SAFE Act) and is introduced in the 119th Congress. It does not, in the text provided, specify enforcement mechanisms, exceptions, or the precise procedures for determining when a court ruling triggers the ban.
Key Points
- 1Short title: The bill is called the Stop Aid for Foreign Expulsion Act, or the SAFE Act.
- 2Prohibition: No federal funds may be obligated or expended to pay a foreign government, an agency of a foreign government, or a foreign entity for the detention of an individual if a U.S. court has determined the detention violates U.S. law.
- 3Payment scope: The prohibition covers both direct and indirect payments.
- 4Definition of foreign entity: A foreign entity is an entity not organized under U.S. law or under the laws of any U.S. jurisdiction.
- 5Enforcement and scope gaps: The text does not specify how enforcement would work, what exact court determinations apply, any exceptions, or a timeline for implementing the prohibition.