A reference to eight U.S. legal remedies, from terrorist designation to visa bars: what each statute allows, who decides, the deadlines, and how past cases ended. It shows which actions held and which did not, each line linked to its primary source.
8 of 60 Documented Precedents Ended with the Action Revoked, Set Aside or Not Sustained
They come from five of the handbook’s eight remedies: Designation (3), Debarment (2), Title VI, state bans and FARA (1 each).
All 60 precedents by outcome percentages rounded
Federal Register 91 FR 55967 Signed Aug. 24, published Aug. 31, 2026
The 8 cases, newest first
- 2026al-Nusrah Front (HTS), SDGTSDGT designation of al-Nusrah Front (Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham) revoked.Designationrevoked91 FR 55967
- 2025al-Nusrah Front (HTS), FTOFTO designation of al-Nusrah Front (Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham) revoked.Designationrevoked90 FR 30187
- 2024Attorney General of the United States v. WynnD.C. Circuit affirmed dismissal of the Attorney General's suit to compel registration after the alleged agency relationship had ended.FARAnot sustainedD.C. Cir. 2024
- 2021Ansarallah, FTOSecretary of State revoked the January 2021 FTO designation of Ansarallah.Designationrevoked86 FR 9568
- 2019Rocky Mountain Instrument Co.State Department rescinded the statutory debarment of Rocky Mountain Instrument Company.Debarmentrevoked (rescinded)84 FR 7411
- 2001Alexander v. private individualSupreme Court held there is no private right of action to enforce disparate-impact regulations issued under Title VI.Title VInot sustained532 U.S. 275
- 2000Crosby v. National Foreign Trade CouncilSupreme Court held a Massachusetts law restricting state purchases from companies doing business with Burma preempted by federal sanctions law.State bansnot sustained (preempted)530 U.S. 363
- 1964private individual v. FreemanD.C. Circuit held that a debarment imposed without notice, specific charges and an opportunity to respond could not stand.Debarmentset aside334 F.2d 570
Private individual marks a living private person. This site does not print their name; the linked court opinion gives the full caption.
All 20 statutory clocks Every time limit the statutes and rules set, one row for each of the eight remedies (Visa ineligibility sets none), on one logarithmic scale from 1 day to 6 years; 7 of the 20 fall inside the shaded first month. Notes under each row follow the marks from left to right, and the first note quotes the words that start the clock.
Government actsDeadline on the affected partyFirst month- 7 dayscongressional notice before an FTO designation
Seven days before
- 30 dayswindow for the organization to seek D.C. Circuit review
- 2 yearsfirst revocation petition period opens
- 5 yearsSecretary must review if no petition review has occurred
- 3 monthsdeadline to petition for a declaratory judgment after the notice of determination
before the 91st day
- 3 yearsconsecutive years without a return before automatic revocation
- 6 monthsreporting dates each year: January 31 and July 31
January 31 or July 31
- 30 dayswait after the report to Congress before a fund termination takes effect
thirty days have elapsed
- 6 monthscomplaint filing window after the alleged discrimination
- 30 daysrespondent's time to oppose a proposed debarment
within 30 days
- 12 monthssuspension ends if no legal proceedings begin (unless extended)
- 18 monthsouter limit of a suspension without proceedings
- 3 yearsgeneral ceiling on a debarment period
- 30 daysComptroller files the updated list with the Legislature
Not later than the 30th day
- 3 monthslisted company's period to cease the boycott
- 6 monthshalf of affected holdings removed
- 12 monthsall affected holdings removed
- 10 daysregistration due after becoming an agent
within ten days
- 30 daysNSD response to an advisory-opinion request
- 7 monthssupplemental statement due 30 days after each 6-month period
No statutory clock. 8 U.S.C. 1201: “the consular officer or the Secretary of State may at any time, in his discretion, revoke such visa or other documentation”
The Eight Remedies by Type
Each remedy opens with what it does, its first clock and how its precedents ended; open its list for every precedent, each linked to its primary source. Filter by type or outcome, or sort by year.
60 precedents
Designation and Sanctions
Foreign organizations named as terrorist groups by the Secretary of State or the Treasury.
1 remedy, 13 precedents
-
Source: 90 FR 11352First clock7 dayscongressional notice before an FTO designationPrecedents136346 taken or upheld3 revoked, set aside or not sustained4 review or procedure
01 Terrorist Designation (FTO and SDGT)
How does a foreign organization come to be designated, and how does a designation end?
The Secretary of State designates Foreign Terrorist Organizations under 8 U.S.C. 1189. Specially Designated Global Terrorists are designated by State or Treasury under Executive Order 13224, issued under IEEPA. Designation blocks property in U.S. jurisdiction and, for an FTO, makes knowing material support a federal crime.
Statute 8 U.S.C. 1189, 50 U.S.C. 1702, 18 U.S.C. 2339B Full guide: statute, rule, clocks and sources
13 precedents year, outcome, who, what happened, source
Revoked, set aside or not sustained
SDGT designation of al-Nusrah Front (Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham) revoked.
Source 91 FR 55967
Review or procedure
Authority to review and deny designation petitions delegated to the Coordinator for Counterterrorism.
Source 91 FR 38465
Taken or upheld
Foreign Terrorist Organization Designation of Sudanese Muslim Brotherhood
Sudanese Muslim Brotherhood designated as an FTO.
Source 91 FR 12664
Taken or upheld
Foreign Terrorist Organization Designation of Lebanese Muslim Brotherhood
Lebanese Muslim Brotherhood designated as an FTO.
Source 91 FR 1595
Taken or upheld
Four Iraqi armed groups designated as FTOs.
Source 90 FR 45097
Review or procedure
Review and Amendment of the Foreign Terrorist Organization Designation of Lashkar-e-Tayyiba
Statutory review of the Lashkar-e-Tayyiba FTO designation; designation maintained and amended.
Source 90 FR 34067
Revoked, set aside or not sustained
FTO designation of al-Nusrah Front (Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham) revoked.
Source 90 FR 30187
Taken or upheld
Foreign Terrorist Organization Designation of Ansarallah
Secretary of State designation of Ansarallah as an FTO published.
Source 90 FR 11352
Revoked, set aside or not sustained
Secretary of State revoked the January 2021 FTO designation of Ansarallah.
Source 86 FR 9568
Taken or upheld
Al Haramain Islamic Foundation, Inc. v. U.S. Department of the Treasury
Ninth Circuit upheld the SDGT redesignation and held that OFAC's notice violated due process but that the error was harmless; it reversed on the Fourth Amendment seizure claim and on a co-plaintiff's First Amendment claim.
Source 686 F.3d 965
Review or procedure
People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran v. U.S. Department of State
D.C. Circuit remanded the FTO redesignation to the Secretary for failure to give the organization access to unclassified material relied upon; the designation was not vacated and stayed in force.
Source 613 F.3d 220
Taken or upheld
Holder v. Humanitarian Law Project
Supreme Court upheld 18 U.S.C. 2339B as applied to the plaintiffs' proposed support to designated FTOs.
Source 561 U.S. 1
Review or procedure
Review of the MEK FTO designation; designation maintained.
Source 74 FR 1273
Nonprofit Status
The tax exemption of U.S. charities and other exempt organizations.
1 remedy, 2 precedents
-
Source: 26 CFR 1.501(c)(3)-1First clock3 monthsdeadline to petition for a declaratory judgment after the notice of determinationPrecedents22all taken or upheld
02 Loss of Tax Exemption (IRS Revocation and 501(p) Suspension)
How does a charity lose its federal tax exemption?
The IRS revokes recognition of 501(c)(3) status after an examination finds the organization no longer meets the statute or regulations. Exemption is revoked by operation of law after 3 consecutive years without a required return. Under section 501(p), exemption is suspended automatically while an organization is designated under specified terrorism authorities.
Statute 26 U.S.C. 501, 26 U.S.C. 6033, 26 U.S.C. 7428 Full guide: statute, rule, clocks and sources
2 precedents year, outcome, who, what happened, source
Taken or upheld
D.C. Circuit upheld revocation of a church's 501(c)(3) recognition for intervention in a political campaign.
Source 211 F.3d 137
Taken or upheld
Bob Jones University v. United States
Supreme Court upheld revocation of exempt status for an institution whose practices violated established public policy.
Source 461 U.S. 574
Visas
Admission of foreign nationals to the United States.
1 remedy, 5 precedents
-
Source: 87 FR 37524First clockNoneNo statutory clock: revocable at any timePrecedents5323 taken or upheld2 review or procedure
03 Visa Ineligibility on Terrorism Grounds (INA 212(a)(3)(B))
When is a foreign national inadmissible on terrorism grounds, and who decides?
INA 212(a)(3)(B) makes inadmissible a foreign national who has engaged in terrorist activity, represents or belongs to defined terrorist organizations, or endorses or espouses terrorist activity, among other grounds. Consular officers apply it to visa applications; the Secretary of State may revoke a visa at any time. Courts give consular decisions very limited review.
Statute 8 U.S.C. 1182, 8 U.S.C. 1201 Full guide: statute, rule, clocks and sources
5 precedents year, outcome, who, what happened, source
Taken or upheld
Department of State v. private individual
Supreme Court held a citizen has no fundamental liberty interest in a noncitizen spouse's admission.
Source 602 U.S. 899
Review or procedure
Exercise of Authority Under Section 212(d)(3)(B)(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act
Secretaries exercised the 212(d)(3)(B)(i) exemption authority for a defined class.
Source 87 FR 37524
Taken or upheld
Supreme Court let stand a visa denial that cited only the terrorism ground of INA 212(a)(3)(B).
Source 576 U.S. 86
Review or procedure
American Academy of Religion v. Napolitano
Second Circuit remanded a visa denial resting on material support, for consideration of whether the consular officer confronted the applicant with the allegation and let him rebut it, as the statute's knowledge exception requires.
Source 573 F.3d 115
Taken or upheld
Supreme Court upheld the denial of a waiver for a foreign speaker on a facially legitimate and bona fide reason.
Source 408 U.S. 753
Funding Conditions
Conditions attached to federal money received by colleges and other institutions.
2 remedies, 29 precedents
-
Source: 85 FR 61732First clock6 monthsreporting dates each year: January 31 and July 31Precedents77all review or procedure
04 Foreign Gift Reporting (HEA Section 117)
What must a U.S. college report about foreign money, and how is it enforced?
Section 117 of the Higher Education Act requires institutions to report foreign gifts and contracts of $250,000 or more a year to the Secretary of Education. Enforcement runs through Department of Education investigations and, on the Secretary's request, a civil action by the Attorney General.
Statute 20 U.S.C. 1011f Full guide: statute, rule, clocks and sources
7 precedents year, outcome, who, what happened, source
Review or procedure
Notice of Investigation and Record Requests
Department of Education notice of investigation and record requests.
Source 85 FR 61732
Review or procedure
Notice of Investigation and Record Requests
Department of Education notice of investigation and record requests.
Source 85 FR 37083
Review or procedure
Notice of Investigation and Record Requests
Department of Education notice of investigation and record requests.
Source 85 FR 26674
Review or procedure
Notice of Investigation and Record Requests
Department of Education notice of investigation and record requests.
Source 85 FR 11059
Review or procedure
Notice of Investigation and Record Requests
Department of Education notice of investigation and record requests.
Source 84 FR 64309
Review or procedure
Notice of Investigation and Record Requests
Department of Education notice of investigation and record requests.
Source 84 FR 34878
Review or procedure
Notice of Investigation and Record Requests
Department of Education notice of investigation and record requests.
Source 84 FR 31052
-
Source: 34 CFR 100.7First clock30 dayswait after the report to Congress before a fund termination takes effectPrecedents2221121 taken or upheld1 revoked, set aside or not sustained
05 Title VI Complaint (Shared Ancestry and National Origin)
How does a discrimination complaint against a federally funded school proceed?
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 bars discrimination on race, color or national origin in federally assisted programs. The Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights interprets it to cover discrimination based on shared ancestry. Executive Order 13899 states that discrimination against Jews may violate Title VI when it is based on race, color or national origin. Complaints go to OCR; fund termination requires a hearing, a finding and a report to Congress.
Statute 42 U.S.C. 2000d, 42 U.S.C. 2000d-1 Full guide: statute, rule, clocks and sources
22 precedents year, outcome, who, what happened, source
Taken or upheld
Ann Arbor Public Schools (MI), OCR case 15241184
Resolved by OCR resolution agreement (OCR issue: shared ancestry).
Taken or upheld
Westfield-Washington Schools (IN), OCR case 05241416
Resolved by OCR resolution agreement (OCR issue: antisemitism).
Taken or upheld
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (IL), OCR case 05202325
Resolved by OCR resolution agreement (OCR issue: shared ancestry).
Taken or upheld
Drexel University (PA), OCR case 03242062
Resolved by OCR resolution agreement (OCR issue: shared ancestry).
Taken or upheld
Carmel Unified (CA), OCR case 09221158
Resolved by OCR resolution agreement (OCR issue: shared ancestry).
Taken or upheld
Brown University (RI), OCR case 01242116
Resolved by OCR resolution agreement (OCR issue: shared ancestry).
Taken or upheld
Lafayette College (PA), OCR case 03242029
Resolved by OCR resolution agreement (OCR issue: shared ancestry).
Taken or upheld
CUNY Hunter College (NY), OCR case 02222034
Resolved by OCR resolution agreement (OCR issue: shared ancestry).
Taken or upheld
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor (MI), OCR case 15242066
Resolved by OCR resolution agreement (OCR issue: shared ancestry).
Taken or upheld
Park City School District (UT), OCR case 08231193
Resolved by OCR resolution agreement (OCR issue: shared ancestry).
Taken or upheld
Park City School District (UT), OCR case 08231236
Resolved by OCR resolution agreement (OCR issue: shared ancestry).
Taken or upheld
Park City School District (UT), OCR case 08231250
Resolved by OCR resolution agreement (OCR issue: shared ancestry).
Taken or upheld
Park City School District (UT), OCR case 08231359
Resolved by OCR resolution agreement (OCR issue: shared ancestry).
Taken or upheld
Park City School District (UT), OCR case 08231433
Resolved by OCR resolution agreement (OCR issue: shared ancestry).
Taken or upheld
Park City School District (UT), OCR case 08231462
Resolved by OCR resolution agreement (OCR issue: shared ancestry).
Taken or upheld
Red Clay Consolidated School District (DE), OCR case 03231373
Resolved by OCR resolution agreement (OCR issue: shared ancestry).
Taken or upheld
Zanesville City Sd (OH), OCR case 15231157
Resolved by OCR resolution agreement (OCR issue: antisemitism).
Taken or upheld
Warren Local Sd (OH), OCR case 15231186
Resolved by OCR resolution agreement (OCR issue: antisemitism).
Taken or upheld
Wellsville Local Sd (OH), OCR case 15231190
Resolved by OCR resolution agreement (OCR issue: antisemitism).
Taken or upheld
Wyoming City Sd (OH), OCR case 15231209
Resolved by OCR resolution agreement (OCR issue: antisemitism).
Taken or upheld
University of Vermont (VT), OCR case 01222002
Resolved by OCR resolution agreement (OCR issue: shared ancestry).
Revoked, set aside or not sustained
Alexander v. private individual
Supreme Court held there is no private right of action to enforce disparate-impact regulations issued under Title VI.
Source 532 U.S. 275
Procurement and Investment
Federal contract awards, and state contracts and investments.
2 remedies, 8 precedents
-
Source: 48 CFR 9.406-4First clock30 daysrespondent's time to oppose a proposed debarmentPrecedents52212 taken or upheld2 revoked, set aside or not sustained1 review or procedure
06 Suspension and Debarment (FAR 9.4 and 2 CFR 180)
How is a person excluded from federal contracts and grants, and for how long?
Agency suspending and debarring officials exclude contractors under FAR subpart 9.4 and grant and loan participants under the nonprocurement common rule at 2 CFR part 180. By statute an exclusion under either system has government-wide effect. Separate statutory debarments, such as the State Department's under the Arms Export Control Act, follow a criminal conviction.
Statute 31 U.S.C. 6101 note, 22 U.S.C. 2778 Full guide: statute, rule, clocks and sources
5 precedents year, outcome, who, what happened, source
Taken or upheld
State Department published statutory debarments under the AECA and ITAR following convictions.
Source 91 FR 46821
Taken or upheld
State Department published statutory debarments under the AECA and ITAR following convictions.
Source 89 FR 53172
Revoked, set aside or not sustained
State Department rescinded the statutory debarment of Rocky Mountain Instrument Company.
Source 84 FR 7411
Review or procedure
GAO, Suspension and Debarment: Some Agency Programs Need Greater Attention (GAO-11-739)
GAO found that several agencies with large contract obligations had few or no suspensions and debarments.
Source Report, August 31, 2011
Revoked, set aside or not sustained
D.C. Circuit held that a debarment imposed without notice, specific charges and an opportunity to respond could not stand.
Source 334 F.2d 570
-
Source: 8th Cir. 2022First clock30 daysComptroller files the updated list with the LegislaturePrecedents31111 taken or upheld1 revoked, set aside or not sustained1 review or procedure
07 State Contracting and Investment Bans
How do states bar contracts with or investment in listed companies?
State laws bar public contracts with, or public-fund investment in, companies on lists kept by a state officer. Texas is the worked example here: the Comptroller keeps lists of companies that boycott Israel or do listed business with Iran, Sudan or FTOs. Federal law authorizes state divestment from Iran's energy sector; other state measures have been preempted or enjoined.
Statute 22 U.S.C. 8532, Tex. Gov't Code ch. 2271, Tex. Gov't Code ch. 2252, subch. F, Tex. Gov't Code ch. 808 Full guide: statute, rule, clocks and sources
3 precedents year, outcome, who, what happened, source
Taken or upheld
Eighth Circuit, en banc, upheld Arkansas's contractor certification against a First Amendment challenge.
Source 37 F.4th 1386
Review or procedure
District court preliminarily enjoined the Texas no-boycott contract certification as applied to the plaintiffs (2019); after Texas amended the law to exempt sole proprietors, the Fifth Circuit held the case moot and vacated the injunction (2020).
Source 956 F.3d 816
Revoked, set aside or not sustained
Crosby v. National Foreign Trade Council
Supreme Court held a Massachusetts law restricting state purchases from companies doing business with Burma preempted by federal sanctions law.
Source 530 U.S. 363
Foreign Agent Registration
Public disclosure by people who act in the United States for foreign principals.
1 remedy, 3 precedents
-
Source: 90 FR 40First clock10 daysregistration due after becoming an agentPrecedents31111 taken or upheld1 revoked, set aside or not sustained1 review or procedure
08 Foreign Agent Registration (FARA)
When must someone working for a foreign principal file with the Justice Department, and what happens if they do not?
The Foreign Agents Registration Act requires agents of foreign principals engaged in political or certain other activities to file a registration statement with the Attorney General and disclose the relationship. The Justice Department's National Security Division administers the Act; it may seek a court order compelling registration or prosecute willful violations.
Statute 22 U.S.C. 612, 22 U.S.C. 618 Full guide: statute, rule, clocks and sources
3 precedents year, outcome, who, what happened, source
Review or procedure
Amending and Clarifying Foreign Agents Registration Act Regulations
Justice Department proposed amendments clarifying FARA regulations and exemptions.
Source 90 FR 40
Revoked, set aside or not sustained
Attorney General of the United States v. Wynn
D.C. Circuit affirmed dismissal of the Attorney General's suit to compel registration after the alleged agency relationship had ended.
Source D.C. Cir. 2024
Taken or upheld
Attorney General of the United States of America v. Irish Northern Aid Committee
Second Circuit affirmed summary judgment that the committee is an agent of the Irish Republican Army under FARA.
Source 668 F.2d 159
