H.R. 3315: No Hezbollah In Our Hemisphere Act

This legislation, titled the No Hezbollah In Our Hemisphere Act, seeks to address the activities of Hezbollah, a Lebanese militant group affiliated with Iran, in Latin America. The bill outlines several key points and measures intended to counteract Hezbollah's influence and operations in the region.

Findings

The bill states that:

• Hezbollah and its connections to Iran have developed networks in Latin America without significant interference.
• Most countries in Latin America do not classify Hezbollah as a terrorist organization, limiting local authorities' ability to take action against them.
• Countries like Argentina, Colombia, Guatemala, Honduras, and Paraguay are exceptions, as they have designated Hezbollah as a terrorist organization.
• Hezbollah has established relationships with certain authoritarian regimes in the region, particularly Venezuela, which is perceived as a base for Iranian operations.
• The group's presence in the Western Hemisphere continues to expand, particularly through involvement in organized crime, money laundering, and smuggling.

Congress's Recommendations

The bill expresses Congress's belief that the Secretary of State should take comprehensive action against Iranian proxy networks in the Western Hemisphere, which includes:

• Pressuring governments to address the presence of designated terrorists or face consequences.
• Collaborating with international partners to create lists of entities that support Hezbollah.
• Encouraging Latin American governments to enhance their laws for investigating and combating terrorism financing.
• Promoting the designation of Hezbollah as a terrorist organization following Argentina's model.

Assessment of Terrorist Activities

The Secretary of State, along with various federal agencies, is tasked with assessing whether any areas in Latin America could be deemed “terrorist sanctuaries” where Hezbollah operates freely. This assessment must be submitted to Congress within 180 days of the bill's enactment.

Visa Sanctions

The bill allows the President to impose various sanctions on foreign government officials from regions identified as terrorist sanctuaries. These sanctions include:

• Ineligibility for U.S. visas and entry.
• Revocation of existing visas for those confirmed to be associated with terrorist activities.

There are exceptions where sanctions might not apply, for example, if admitting an individual advances important law enforcement goals or meets international obligations.

Waivers and Termination of Sanctions

The President can waive sanctions on a case-by-case basis if deemed vital to U.S. national security or if it serves national interests associated with specific jurisdictions. Reports must be provided to Congress when such waivers are granted or renewed.

Duration of Sanctions

Sanctions imposed by this legislation will automatically terminate five years after the bill’s enactment. However, the President can lift sanctions earlier if it is determined that the targeted individuals have ceased their harmful activities.

Relevant Companies

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