H.R. 7857: No Escaping Justice Act of 2026

This bill is known as the "No Escaping Justice Act of 2026." Its main goal is to impose sanctions on foreign individuals who are determined to have knowingly participated in or benefited from severe forms of human trafficking related to the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking enterprise. The key components of the bill include:

Definition of Terms

• Foreign Person: Any individual or entity that is not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
• Severe Forms of Trafficking: Activities defined under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act as serious violations involving trafficking of persons, especially minors.
• Epstein-related Records: Documents and communications related to the investigations surrounding Jeffrey Epstein.

Identification of Sanctionable Persons

Within 90 days of the bill becoming law, and annually for the next five years, the President, with input from various federal officials, must identify foreign persons involved in the following actions related to the Epstein enterprise:

• Engaging in severe forms of trafficking, including sex trafficking of minors.
• Aiding or facilitating such trafficking.
• Benefiting financially from these activities.
• Obstructing investigations related to these crimes.

Sanctions Imposed

Once identified, the President must impose several sanctions on these individuals, which include:

• Asset Blocking: Depending on their location, U.S. authorities can block any transactions involving the person’s assets in the U.S.
• Inadmissibility: These persons will be banned from entering the U.S. and any visas they might hold will be revoked.

Waivers and Exceptions

The President can waive these sanctions under certain circumstances, such as if it is deemed in the national interest or related to U.S. intelligence and security matters. Additionally, sanctions must not interfere with U.S. obligations under international agreements.

Termination of Sanctions

Sanctions can be lifted if the affected individuals prove they did not engage in the sanctioned conduct, have served appropriate sentences, or can demonstrate significant positive changes in their behavior.

Reporting and Briefing Requirements

The President is required to report to Congress on the status of sanctions and may provide briefings upon request regarding the implementation of the bill.

Rule of Construction

The bill clarifies that it does not alter existing obligations under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, ensuring that investigations related to Epstein remain unaffected by this legislation.

Relevant Companies

None found.