19 USC 2439 - Freedom to emigrate to join a very close relative in United States

U.S Code last checked for updates: Jan 18, 2025

§ 2439.

Freedom to emigrate to join a very close relative in United States

(a)

Sanctions for emigration restrictions

To assure the continued dedication of the United States to the fundamental human rights and welfare of its own citizens, and notwithstanding any other provision of law, on or after January 3, 1975, no nonmarket economy country shall participate in any program of the Government of the United States which extends credits or credit guarantees or investment guarantees, directly or indirectly, and the President of the United States shall not conclude any commercial agreement with any such country, during the period beginning with the date on which the President determines that such country—

(1)

denies its citizens the right or opportunity to join permanently through emigration, a very close relative in the United State,1

 So in original.

such as a spouse, parent, child, brother, or sister;

(2)

imposes more than a nominal tax on the visas or other documents required for emigration described in paragraph (1); or

(3)

imposes more than a nominal tax, levy, fine, fee, or other charge on any citizen as a consequence of the desire of such citizen to emigrate as described in paragraph (1),

and ending on the date on which the President determines that such country is no longer in violation of paragraph (1), (2), or (3).

(b)

Report to Congress concerning emigration policies

(c)

Exemption from application of section

(d)

Additional exemption from application of section

(Pub. L. 93–618, title IV, § 409, Jan. 3, 1975, 88 Stat. 2064.)

cite as: 19 USC 2439