(13) In an effort to combat attacks against journalists and others exercising their right to freedom of expression, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken in February 2021 announced the Khashoggi Ban, a new policy allowing the Department of State to impose visa restrictions on individuals who, acting on behalf of a foreign government, are believed to have been directly engaged in serious, extraterritorial counter-dissident activities, including activities that suppress, harass, surveil, threaten, or harm journal1ists, activists, or other persons perceived to be dissidents for their work. 3. Khashoggi ban ground of inadmissibility Section 212(a)(3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(3) ) is amended by adding at the end the following: (H) Khashoggi ban (i) In general An alien who is determined by the Secretary of State, or the Secretary of Homeland Security in consultation with the Secretary of State, to be engaged in counter-dissident activities is inadmissible. (ii) Discretionary ban Any alien who is an immediate family member of an alien who is inadmissible under clause (i) may be inadmissible, as determined by the Secretary of State or the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State. (iii) Notification of determinations If an alien is determined to be inadmissible under clause (i) or (ii), the Secretary of State, or the Secretary of Homeland Security in consultation with the Secretary of State, shall notify Congress, and may also make a public statement, identifying the alien and the reasons for the determination. (iv) Clarification For the purposes of clause (iii), the records of the Department of State and of diplomatic and consular offices of the United States pertaining to the issuance or refusal of visas or permits to enter the United States shall not be considered confidential. (v) National interest waiver The Secretary of State or the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State, may waive the requirements of this