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"A broad spectrum of civil society groups that work internationally fear they could face a new legal threat — being pressured to register as foreign agents, a designation that could severely damage an organization."

Civil rights leader W.E.B. DuBois faced prison time in the 1950s because of this statute. Today, critics call it outdated and ambiguous.

While nonprofits are supportive of efforts to preserve democracy and transparency, any reforms to FARA should also include updates of the terms and definitions of the current law.

"Given the vague and broad scope of FARA, its increased enforcement – without fixing the underlying Act – will chill nonprofits from carrying out beneficial cross-border activities."