22 U.S.C. § 212a — Restriction of passports for sex tourism

(a) In general. After a person is convicted of violating section 2423 of title 18, the Attorney General must notify, in a timely manner: (1) the Secretary of State, for action under subsection (b); and (2) the Secretary of Homeland Security, for action under the Immigration and Nationality Act. (b) Authority to restrict passport. (1) Ineligibility for passport. (A) In general: the Secretary of State may not issue a passport or passport card, during the "covered period" defined below, to an individual convicted of violating section 2423 of title 18, if that individual used a passport or passport card, or otherwise crossed an international border, in committing the offense. (B) Passport revocation: the Secretary of State must revoke a passport or passport card previously issued to such an individual. (2) Exceptions. (A) Emergency and humanitarian situations: despite paragraph (1), the Secretary of State may still issue a passport or passport card in emergency circumstances or for humanitarian reasons. (B) Limitation for return to the United States: before revoking a passport, the Secretary of State may instead limit a previously issued passport or passport card to return travel to the United States only, or may issue a limited passport or passport card that only permits that return travel. (3) Definitions. (A) "Covered period" means the period starting when the individual is convicted, and ending on whichever is later: (i) the date the individual is released from a sentence of imprisonment for the offense; or (ii) the end of any parole or other supervised release relating to the offense. (B) "Imprisonment" means being confined in, or otherwise restricted to, a jail, prison, half-way house, treatment facility, or another institution — full or part time — under a criminal sentence.