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HR 3978 108th Congress House

Designation of Foreign Terrorist Organizations Reform Act

Official title: To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to modify provisions relating to designation of foreign terrorist organizations, to amend the Foreign Relations Au… Show full official titleShow less

Official title: To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to modify provisions relating to designation of foreign terrorist organizations, to amend the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1988 and 1989, to include in annual Department of State country reports on terrorism information on terrorist groups that seek weapons of mass destruction and groups that have been designated as foreign terrorist organizations, and for other purposes.

Introduced: April 1, 2004 See on congress.gov
Immigration Administrative remediesAliensArmed Forces and National SecurityClassified defense information
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CongressCongressional reporting requirementsCrime and Law EnforcementDepartment of Homeland SecurityEBB TerrorismEvidence (Law)Government Operations and PoliticsGovernment paperworkInternational AffairsLawNamesState-sponsored terrorismTerrorismWeapons of mass destruction
This bill died when the 108th Congress ended
It never became law before the 108th Congress (2003–2004) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 6 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Apr 2, 2004
Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Claims.
Mar 17, 2004
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
Mar 17, 2004
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Mar 16, 2004
Referred to the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Human Rights.
Mar 16, 2004
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on International Relations, 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.
Mar 16, 2004
Introduced in House
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 Latest action April 2, 2004

Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Claims.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Designation of Foreign Terrorist Organizations Reform Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to revise requirements authorizing the Secretary to designate an organization as a foreign terrorist organization. Makes designations effective until revoked or set aside (currently effective for two years, subject to revocation). Sets forth procedures requiring the Secretary to review the designation of a foreign terrorist organization upon the organization's filing a petition for revocation within two years after such designation. Requires the Secretary to review a designation if no review has taken place within a four-year period. Authorizes the Secretary to amend a designation.

Amends the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1988 and 1989 to require the inclusion in the State Department's Country Reports on Terrorism of: (1) information concerning specified terrorist groups that are known to have obtained or developed weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) or that are designated as foreign terrorist organizations under the INA; and (2) to the extent feasible, information concerning countries that have assisted terrorists in obtaining or developing WMDs.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 4
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 3978: Designation of Foreign Terrorist Organizations Reform Act. 108th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-3978/
MLA
"H.R. 3978: Designation of Foreign Terrorist Organizations Reform Act." 108th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-3978/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 3978, 108th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-3978/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 3978: Designation of Foreign Terrorist Organizations Reform Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-3978/)
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