International Police Agency INTERPOL Now Allowed U.S. Immunity

On December 16, 2009, President Barak Obama signed an Executive Order expanding the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) privileges and immunities in the United States.

The President's order amends 1983 Executive Order 12425 signed by President Reagan that designated INTERPOL as a public international organization in the United States pursuant to the International Organizations Immunities Act. INTERPOL is one of over 80 international organizations so designated.

The additional privileges and immunities accorded include immunity from search and confiscation of its property and archives; exemption from customs duties and taxes related to the importation of baggage and household effects; exemption from federal income tax and Social Security contributions; exemption from federal property taxes.

Former Federal prosecutor Andy McCarthy notes in the National Review, "Why would we elevate an international police force above American law? Why would we immunize an international police force from the limitations that constrain the FBI and other American law-enforcement agencies? Why is it suddenly necessary to have, within the Justice Department, a repository for stashing government files which, therefore, will be beyond the ability of Congress, American law-enforcement, the media, and the American people to scrutinize?"