[JWBear]

It is illegal for foreign nationals to contribute to US elections.

2 U.S.C. Sec 441e

TITLE 2--THE CONGRESS

CHAPTER 14--FEDERAL ELECTION CAMPAIGNS

SUBCHAPTER I--DISCLOSURE OF FEDERAL CAMPAIGN FUNDS

Sec. 441e. Contributions and donations by foreign nationals


(a) Prohibition

It shall be unlawful for--
(1) a foreign national, directly or indirectly, to make--
(A) a contribution or donation of money or other thing of
value, or to make an express or implied promise to make a
contribution or donation, in connection with a Federal, State,
or local election;
(B) a contribution or donation to a committee of a political
party; or
(C) an expenditure, independent expenditure, or disbursement
for an electioneering communication (within the meaning of
section 434(f)(3) of this title); or

(2) a person to solicit, accept, or receive a contribution or
donation described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (1) from
a foreign national.

(b) ``Foreign national'' defined

As used in this section, the term ``foreign national'' means--
(1) a foreign principal, as such term is defined by section
611(b) of title 22, except that the term ``foreign national'' shall
not include any individual who is a citizen of the United States; or
(2) an individual who is not a citizen of the United States or a
national of the United States (as defined in section 1101(a)(22) of
title 8) and who is not lawfully admitted for permanent residence,
as defined by section 1101(a)(20) of title 8.

(Pub. L. 92-225, title III, Sec. 319, formerly Sec. 324, as added Pub.
L. 94-283, title I, Sec. 112(2), May 11, 1976, 90 Stat. 493; renumbered
Sec. 319, Pub. L. 96-187, title I, Sec. 105(5), Jan. 8, 1980, 93 Stat.
1354; amended Pub. L. 107-155, title III, Secs. 303, 317, Mar. 27, 2002,
116 Stat. 96, 109.)


Prior Provisions

A prior section 319 of Pub. L. 92-225 was renumbered section 314,
and is classified to section 439c of this title.
Another prior section 319 of Pub. L. 92-225 was renumbered section
318, and was classified to section 439b of this title, prior to repeal
by Pub. L. 96-187.


Amendments

2002--Pub. L. 107-155, Sec. 303(1), substituted ``Contributions and
donations by foreign nationals'' for ``Contributions by foreign
nationals'' in section catchline.
Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 107-155, Sec. 303(2), added subsec. (a) and
struck out former subsec. (a) which read as follows: `` It shall be
unlawful for a foreign national directly or through any other person to
make any contribution of money or other thing of value, or to promise
expressly or impliedly to make any such contribution, in connection with
an election to any political office or in connection with any primary
election, convention, or caucus held to select candidates for any
political office; or for any person to solicit, accept, or receive any
such contribution from a foreign national.''
Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 107-155, Sec. 317, inserted ``or a national
of the United States (as defined in section 1101(a)(22) of title 8)''
after ``United States''.


Effective Date of 2002 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 107-155 effective Nov. 6, 2002, see section 402
of Pub. L. 107-155, set out as an Effective Date of 2002 Amendment;
Regulations note under section 431 of this title.