Learn About The Law
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Current as of January 01, 2024 | Updated by Findlaw Staff
(a)In general
The Secretary of State shall impose the visa restrictions described in subsection (c) on any foreign person who the Secretary determines--
(1) is a current or former senior official of the Maduro regime, or any foreign person acting on behalf of such regime, who is knowingly responsible for, complicit in, responsible for ordering, controlling, or otherwise directing, or participating in (directly or indirectly) any activity in or in relation to Venezuela, on or after January 23, 2019, that significantly undermines or threatens the integrity of--
(A) the democratically-elected National Assembly of Venezuela; or
(B) the President of such National Assembly, while serving as Interim President of Venezuela, or the senior government officials under the supervision of such President;
(2) is the spouse or adult child of a foreign person described in paragraph (1); or
(3) is the spouse or adult child of Venezuelan person sanctioned under--
(A) section 5(a) of the Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-278), as amended by section 163 of this title;
(B)section 1903(b) of Title 21; or
(b)Removal from visa revocation list
Pursuant to such procedures as the Secretary of State may establish to implement this section--
(1) if any person described in subsection (a)(1) recognizes and pledges support for the Interim President of Venezuela or a subsequent democratically elected government of Venezuela, that person and any family members of that person who were subject to visa restrictions pursuant to subsection (a)(2) shall no longer be subject to such visa restrictions; and
(2) if any person described in subparagraphs (A) through (C) of subsection (a)(3) recognizes and pledges support for the Interim President of Venezuela or a subsequent democratically elected government of Venezuela, any family members of that person who were subject to visa restrictions pursuant to subsection (a)(3) shall no longer be subject to such visa restrictions.
(c)Visa restrictions described
(1)Visas, admission, or parole
An alien described in subsection (a) is--
(A) inadmissible to the United States;
(B) ineligible to receive a visa or other documentation to enter the United States; and
(C) otherwise ineligible to be admitted or paroled into the United States or to receive any benefit under the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.).
(2)Current visas revoked
(A)In general
An alien described in subsection (a) is subject to revocation of any visa or other entry documentation regardless of when the visa or other entry documentation is or was issued.
(B)Immediate effect
A revocation under subparagraph (A) shall--
(i) take effect immediately; and
(ii) automatically cancel any other valid visa or entry documentation that is in the alien's possession.
(3)Exceptions
Sanctions under paragraphs (1) and (2) shall not apply with respect to an alien if admitting or paroling the alien into the United States is necessary--
(A) to permit the United States to comply with the Agreement regarding the Headquarters of the United Nations, signed at Lake Success June 26, 1947, and entered into force November 21, 1947, between the United Nations and the United States, or other applicable international obligations; or
(B) to carry out or assist law enforcement activity in the United States.
(d)Rulemaking
The President shall issue such regulations, licenses, and orders as may be necessary to carry out this section.
Cite this article: FindLaw.com - 22 U.S.C. § 9721 - U.S. Code - Unannotated Title 22. Foreign Relations and Intercourse § 9721. Additional restrictions on visas - last updated January 01, 2024 | https://codes.findlaw.com/us/title-22-foreign-relations-and-intercourse/22-usc-sect-9721/
FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature before relying on it for your legal needs.
A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes, visit FindLaw’s Learn About the Law.
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Search our directory by legal issue
Enter information in one or both fields (Required)