Exhibit 816

Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, 22 U.S.C. 611 (definitions)

Exhibit 816 · Statute

Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, 22 U.S.C. 611 (definitions)

any activity that the person engaging in believes will, or that the person intends to, in any way influence any agency or official of the Government of the United States or any section of the public within the United States with reference to formulating, adopting, or changing the domestic or foreign policies of the United States

Sec. 611(c)(1) defines an agent of a foreign principal as a person who acts at the order, request or under the direction or control of a foreign principal and who engages in political activities, acts as public relations counsel or political consultant, solicits or disburses money, or represents the principal's interests before a U.S. agency or official. Sec. 611(o) defines political activities by intent to influence U.S. officials or the public. FARA is a registration and disclosure statute, not a ban on the activity.

Source: U.S. Congress
Date: 8 June 1938 (as amended)
Quoted from: 22 U.S.C. § 611(o)
Grade: Primary record
Document: https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/22/611
Accessed: 2026-11-09
Cited by: Findings citing this exhibit

Cited by

Finding POL-6.1: Primary record FARA requires a person who acts at the direction or control of a foreign principal and engages in political activities in the United States to register and file disclosures. A willful violation or false statement in a filing carries up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, and the Attorney General may seek a civil injunction. Since 1995 an agent of a non-government foreign principal who registers under the Lobbying Disclosure Act is exempt from FARA registration.