R.S. § 2001 derived from act July 27, 1868, ch. 249, § 3, 15 Stat. 224.

Section was formerly classified to section 903b of Title 8, Aliens and Nationality.

1989—Pub. L. 101–222 inserted “and not otherwise prohibited by law” after “acts of war”.

For Executive Order provisions relating to the release of the American hostages in Iran, see Ex. Ord. Nos. 12276 to 12285, Jan. 19, 1981, 46 F.R. 7913 to 7932, listed in a table under section 1701 of Title 50, War and National Defense.