On July 19, 2023, the United States Department of State (DOS) issued a report to Congress in accordance with Section 353, focusing on Corrupt and Undemocratic Actors. This action aligns with the provisions of the United States-Northern Triangle Enhanced Engagement Act, which has been amended. This specific section instructs the Department of State to identify individuals who have knowingly engaged in activities that undermine democratic processes or institutions, participated in significant acts of corruption, or hindered investigations into such corrupt behaviors in Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua.
The report further outlines that the United States has implemented specific restrictions on individuals involved in corruption-related to government contracts, as well as activities such as bribery, extortion, money laundering linked to the facilitation or transfer of corruptly obtained funds, and instances of violence, harassment, or intimidation targeting both governmental and non-governmental investigators of corruption.
Pursuant to Section 353, foreign individuals who are pinpointed in the report submitted to the US Congress become ineligible for visas and entry to the United States. Additionally, any existing visas will be promptly revoked, and any other valid entry documentation will also be invalidated.
The report has been formally presented to various key committees within the United States government, including the United States House Foreign Affairs Committee, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the House Committee on the Judiciary, and the Senate Committee on the Judiciary.