H.R. 3860: No Passports for Terrorists and Traffickers Act (119th Congress) Bill Summary

This bill, titled the "No Passports for Terrorists and Traffickers Act," aims to enhance the United States government's ability to deny or revoke passports for individuals connected to terrorism or trafficking activities. The primary elements of the bill are as follows:

Passport Denial and Revocation

The bill grants the Secretary of State the authority to refuse to issue a passport to any individual who:

Has been charged with or convicted of certain terrorism-related offenses, specifically those detailed in sections 2339A or 2339B of Title 18 of the U.S. Code.
Has aided, assisted, or provided support to organizations designated as foreign terrorist organizations according to the Immigration and Nationality Act.

If a passport has already been issued to such an individual, the Secretary of State is required to revoke it, with certain exceptions outlined below.

Exceptions to Revocation

The bill allows for limited exceptions where passports may still be issued or retained:

To facilitate the return of an individual to the United States, the Secretary can issue a passport limited to that purpose.
In urgent humanitarian situations, the Secretary may issue a passport despite the individual's otherwise ineligible status.

Right of Review

Individuals who have their passport denied or revoked under this bill can request a hearing to appeal the decision. This request must be made within 60 days after receiving notice of the denial or revocation.

Restoration of Passport

If during the appeal process an individual is acquitted of the charges or if the Secretary changes their decision, the individual may have their passport re-issued.

Reporting Requirements

The Secretary of State must report to specific congressional committees within 30 days if a passport is denied or revoked. The report can be classified or unclassified based on the Secretary's discretion.

Definitions and Scope

The bill includes definitions for terms used throughout, such as:

Passport: This includes both traditional passports and passport cards.
Material Support: Refers to various forms of support provided to terrorist organizations, which can include services, financial aid, and other forms of assistance, excluding medicine or religious materials.

Additional Provisions

The bill includes stipulations to ensure it does not infringe on constitutional rights, particularly regarding free speech, and sets forth a severability clause. This means that if any part of the law is found unconstitutional, the rest remains effective.