Rewards for information related to terrorism were established by the 1984 Act To Combat International Terrorism. Excluding government employees who have acted within the scope of their official duties, an individual is entitled to a reward of up to $500,000. Rewards of up to $100,000 can be paid with the approval of the Attorney General, and a reward of $100,000 or more requires the approval of the President or Attorney General. Rewards are deemed conclusive, and no court has the power or jurisdiction to review it. Although the informant's identity is kept classified, informants and their immediate families are eligible to participate in the Attorney General's witness protection program. The recently enacted PATRIOT Act amended the reward program's authority by increasing the amount of money offered or paid to an informant. Now, a reward of $250,000 or more requires the personal approval of the President or Attorney General. The PATRIOT Act also mandates that if an award is approved under it, the Attorney General must provide written notice to the chairmen and ranking minority members of the Committees of Appropriations and the Judiciary in the Senate and House of Representatives not later than 30 days after the approval. The Attorney General's refusal to provide a reward is not subject to judicial review. In addition to a monetary reward, the Immigration and Naturalization Service has the authority, under specific limited circumstances, to grant special visas to nonimmigrants and their immediate families. A new immigration regulation established an "S" visa, which provides for a temporary and potentially permanent stay within the United States. The U.S. State Department also has the authority to pay rewards for information on terrorism. The U.S. intelligence community continues to develop its information-gathering techniques and recruit sources who, not withstanding their religious or political affiliations, are willing to provide confidential information in an effort to avoid attacks on those who cherish freedom and provide for its security. 35 notes