FTOs

FTOs, or Foreign Terrorist Organizations, are foreign organizations designated by the United States Secretary of State as posing a significant risk of engaging in terrorist activities or supporting them. The designation is made under the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. § 1189. To be listed, an organization must be foreign and must engage in terrorist activities or possess the capability and intent to do so, in a way that affects U.S. security or foreign policy interests.

Criteria and designation process

The designation is based on evidence that the organization has committed or poses a threat of committing terrorist acts, or that it has the intent and the means to do so. The list is maintained by the Department of State and is published publicly, with periodic reviews and updates as circumstances change. Delisting is possible if evidence indicates the organization no longer satisfies the criteria or has ceased harmful activities.

Consequences and legal impact

Designation as an FTO has significant legal consequences. U.S. persons are prohibited from providing material support or resources to the organization, and U.S. assets associated with the group may be blocked. The designation also supports broader sanctions and enforcement actions under U.S. law, including related counterterrorism authorities. The designation can influence travel and economic restrictions related to the organization and its leaders.

Examples

Examples of groups that have been designated as FTOs include Al-Qaeda, ISIS (ISIL), Hamas, and Hezbollah, among others. The official list is subject to change as foreign threat assessments evolve.

See also

The FTO designation is one element of broader U.S. counterterrorism and sanctions regimes, often interacting with other designations such as Specially Designated Global Terrorists and related financial controls.