U.S. Foreign Influence Laws

USCNL advocates for reforming the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) and other foreign influence laws that can violate the rights of those in U.S. civil society. We also provide resources to help nonprofits and others navigate these laws.

FARA Primers

Introductions to FARA

• USCNL, Navigating the Foreign Agents Registration Act, March 2026

• USCNL’s short briefer on reforming the Foreign Agents Registration Act to protect U.S. nonprofits, March 2026

• Nick Robinson, FARA is a Catchall Statute-and That’s a Problem, Lawfare, January 2025

In-Depth Analysis

Nick Robinson, “Foreign Agents” in an Interconnected World: FARA and the Weaponization of Transparency, Duke Law Journal (2020)

Influence Abroad

• ICNL, Foreign Influence Registration Laws and Civil Society: An Analysis (2025)

• ICNL, FARA’s Double Life Abroad (2023)

ICNL’s FARA Resources

This resource tracks legislation introduced to amend FARA since the 115^th Congress (2017-2018).

FARA Advisory Opinions

This page compiles Justice Department advisory opinions on FARA that are relevant to U.S. civil society.

FARA Congressional Investigations

This page tracks FARA Congressional investigations of nonprofits and others since 2018.

State Foreign Influence Legislation

This tracker follows state foreign influence legislation—often modeled on FARA—introduced since 2024.

Other Resources

This page provides additional FARA resources, including USCNL submissions and sign on letters to the Justice Department as well as select articles on FARA.