judicial system are often unable to share information due to the confidential nature of investigations and court proceedings, it is possible that information important to know across agencies or between the United States and partners is not being communicated. For example, when federal, state, or local law enforcement suspect an individual is engaging in transnational repression in the United States is that information communicated to other law enforcement in the US or abroad who may also encounter these individuals? Are potentially targeted communities notified? When individuals are convicted of engaging in transnational repression are their names shared with the State and Treasury Departments and with trusted partner governments for the consideration of potential transnational repression-related sanctions? A review of current procedures could help identify best practices, gaps, and whether there are ways to maximize efficiency and minimize duplication of work. Resourcing may present another challenge to the effective sharing of information, as the number of personnel assigned to handle transnational repression is fairly low. At DHS specifically, Congress should work with agency leadership to determine whether DHS and its component agencies have sufficient resourcing to address transnational repression, providing scaled up resources as necessary. Freedom House has a number of other recommendations that stretch outside the jurisdiction of this subcommittee that I am happy to elaborate on during the Q&A. These include rapidly processing the pending asylum and immigration applications of individuals at risk of transnational repression, including the applications of hundreds of Uyghurs whose cases remain pending; ensuring the US has short- and long-term visa options available to those needing to flee their countries of origin; imposing sanctions on perpetrators more effectively; withholding foreign assistance from governments that continually engage in transnational repression; issuing travel advisories for countries where transnational repression is known to occur; and making sure to consistently raise the issue with governments known to engage in transnational repression, especially if those governments are close partners or allies. Thank you. I look forward to your questions. Annie Wilcox Boyajian Freedom House January 17, 2023 6