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H.R. 1778

Justice for Imprisoned Americans Overseas Act of 2013

Justice for Imprisoned Americans Overseas Act of 2013 or Jacob's Law of 2013 - Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to include in the Foreign Service professional development program training to protect the rights of U.S. citizens in foreign custody.

Directs the Secretary of State to submit a semiannnual report to Congress for five years that identifies: (1) U.S. citizens imprisoned in foreign countries whose fundamental due process and human rights are being violated, (2) the due process and human rights violations that are being committed against such U.S. citizens, and (3) the government officials who are responsible for such violations or who are not fulfilling their official responsibility to protect such rights.

Prohibits the Secretary of State from issuing any visa to, and the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) from permitting entry to the United States of, any such identified official and his or her immediate family members. Makes such ban permanent if an identified U.S. citizen dies while in foreign custody.

Prohibits foreign assistance from being provided to an agency or other entity of a foreign government that is responsible for the violation of, or is failing to protect, the fundamental due process or human rights of an imprisoned U.S. citizen.

Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security.

Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4](R-NJ)Sponsor
1 cosponsor1 D
1cosponsors2committees6actions18subjects
  • Introduced in HouseApr 26, 2013
  1. Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security.

  2. IntroReferralB00100

    Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E738-739)

  3. IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  4. IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  5. IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  6. IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

Justice for Imprisoned Americans Overseas Act of 2013 — Informed