International law is a set of rules, customs, and treaties that describe the way in which different countries or nations have agreed to deal with each other. International law may also be said to include U.S. laws, for example, that govern the conduct of U.S. citizens in their interactions and dealings with foreign nations and the citizens of foreign nations. These laws may be designed to allow the United States government to prosecute U.S. citizens for crimes related to corruption in foreign business dealings (foreign corrupt practices), human trafficking, sex with underage persons in foreign countries (extraterritorial sexual exploitation of children), and the production of child pornography outside the United States.
In Texas, as in all states, international law is recognized as a body of rules and agreements that govern the interactions between nations. While states do not create international law, they are subject to federal laws that implement international agreements and principles. For instance, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) is a federal law that prohibits U.S. citizens and entities from bribing foreign officials to obtain or retain business. Additionally, federal laws like the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) address human trafficking, and there are specific statutes that criminalize extraterritorial sexual exploitation of children and the production of child pornography outside the United States. These laws apply to U.S. citizens in Texas and across the nation, and violations can be prosecuted by federal authorities. It's important to note that while state authorities in Texas may assist in the enforcement of such laws, the prosecution of offenses related to international law typically falls under federal jurisdiction.
