The President of the United States of America, President Joe Biden, has issued a memo that threatens financial sanctions, among others, on countries found guilty, according to them, of human rights abuses on the gay (LGBTQI+) community.

In a statement by the President, aimed at building the United States’ credibility, he announced his intentions. “To further repair our moral leadership, I’m also issuing a presidential memo to agencies to reinvigorate our leadership on the LGBTQI issues and do it internationally,” he said.

The memo directs US agencies working abroad, including the Departments of State, the Treasury, Defense, Justice, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), to combat “the Criminalization of LGBTQI+ Status or Conduct Abroad” and also “effectively identify and respond to the particular needs of LGBTQI+ refugees and asylum seekers,” where necessary.

According to the memo, “When foreign governments move to restrict the rights of LGBTQI+ persons or fail to enforce legal protections in place, thereby contributing to a climate of intolerance, agencies engaged abroad shall consider appropriate responses, including using the full range of diplomatic and assistance tools and, as appropriate, financial sanctions, visa restrictions, and other actions.”