---
kind: "section"
citation: "22 U.S.C. § 7108"
title: "22"
title_heading: "Foreign Relations and Intercourse"
number: "7108"
heading: "Actions against significant traffickers in persons"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/22/7108"
units:
  - "Chapter 78 — Trafficking Victims Protection"
---

# §7108. Actions against significant traffickers in persons

- (a) **Authority to sanction significant traffickers in persons—**
  - (1) **In general—** The President may exercise the authorities set forth in [section 1702 of title 50](/usc/50/1702.md) without regard to [section 1701 of title 50](/usc/50/1701.md), or [section 10102 of this title](/usc/22/10102.md), in the case of any of the following persons:
    - (A) Any foreign person that plays a significant role in a severe form of trafficking in persons, directly or indirectly in the [United States](/usc/22/7102.md?p=15).
    - (B) Foreign persons that materially assist in, or provide financial or technological [support](/usc/22/7432.md?p=12) for or to, or provide goods or services in [support](/usc/22/7432.md?p=12) of, activities of a significant foreign trafficker in persons identified pursuant to [subparagraph (A)](#a-1-A).
    - (C) Foreign persons that are owned, controlled, or directed by, or acting for or on behalf of, a significant foreign trafficker identified pursuant to [subparagraph (A)](#a-1-A).
    - (D) Officials of a foreign government who participate in, facilitate, or condone [severe forms of trafficking in persons](/usc/22/7102.md?p=11) for significant financial gain.
  - (2) **Penalties—** The penalties set forth in [section 1705 of title 50](/usc/50/1705.md) apply to violations of any license, order, or regulation issued under this section.
- (b) **Report to Congress on identification and sanctioning of significant traffickers in persons—**
  - (1) **In general—** Upon exercising the authority of [subsection (a)](#a), the President shall report to the [appropriate congressional committees](/usc/22/7102.md?p=2)—
    - (A) identifying publicly the foreign persons that the President determines are appropriate for sanctions pursuant to this section and the basis for such determination; and
    - (B) detailing publicly the sanctions imposed pursuant to this section.
  - (2) **Removal of sanctions—** Upon suspending or terminating any action imposed under the authority of [subsection (a)](#a), the President shall report to the committees described in [paragraph (1)](#b-1) on such suspension or termination.
  - (3) **Submission of classified information—** Reports submitted under this subsection may include an annex with classified information regarding the basis for the determination made by the President under [paragraph (1)(A)](#b-1-A).
- (c) **Law enforcement and intelligence activities not affected—** Nothing in this section prohibits or otherwise limits the authorized law enforcement or intelligence activities of the [United States](/usc/22/7102.md?p=15), or the law enforcement activities of any [State](/usc/22/7102.md?p=13) or subdivision thereof.
- (d) **Omitted—**
- (e) **Implementation—**
  - (1) **Delegation of authority—** The President may delegate any authority granted by this section, including the authority to designate foreign persons under paragraphs [(1)(B)](#a-1-B) and [(1)(C)](#a-1-C) of subsection (a).
  - (2) **Promulgation of rules and regulations—** The head of any agency, including the [Secretary](/usc/22/277d–43.md?p=5) of Treasury, is authorized to take such actions as may be necessary to carry out any authority delegated by the President pursuant to [paragraph (1)](#e-1), including promulgating rules and regulations.
  - (3) **Opportunity for review—** Such rules and regulations shall include procedures affording an opportunity for a person to be heard in an expeditious manner, either in person or through a representative, for the purpose of seeking changes to or termination of any determination, order, designation or other action associated with the exercise of the authority in [subsection (a)](#a).
- (f) **Definition of foreign persons—** In this section, the term “foreign person” means any citizen or national of a foreign [state](/usc/22/7102.md?p=13) or any entity not organized under the laws of the [United States](/usc/22/7102.md?p=15), including a foreign government official, but does not include a foreign [state](/usc/22/7102.md?p=13).
- (g) **Construction—** Nothing in this section shall be construed as precluding judicial review of the exercise of the authority described in [subsection (a)](#a).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 106–386, div. A, § 111, Oct. 28, 2000, 114 Stat. 1484; Pub. L. 115–425, title I, § 124, Jan. 8, 2019, 132 Stat. 5479.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Codification

Section is comprised of section 111 of Pub. L. 106–386. Subsec. (d) of section 111 of Pub. L. 106–386 amended section 1182 of Title 8, Aliens and Nationality.

### Amendments

2019—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 115–425, § 124(1), inserted “, or section 10102 of this title,” after “without regard to section 1701 of title 50” in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (a)(1)(D). Pub. L. 115–425, § 124(2), added subpar. (D).