---
kind: "section"
citation: "18 U.S.C. § 2389"
title: "18"
title_heading: "Crimes and Criminal Procedure"
number: "2389"
heading: "Recruiting for service against United States"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/18/2389"
units:
  - "Part I — Crimes"
  - "Chapter 115 — Treason, Sedition, and Subversive Activities"
---

# §2389. Recruiting for service against United States


[Whoever](/usc/18/921.md?p=a-1) recruits soldiers or sailors within the [United States](/usc/18/229F.md?p=9), or in any place subject to the jurisdiction thereof, to engage in armed hostility against the same; or

[Whoever](/usc/18/921.md?p=a-1) opens within the [United States](/usc/18/229F.md?p=9), or in any place subject to the jurisdiction thereof, a recruiting station for the enlistment of such soldiers or sailors to serve in any manner in armed hostility against the [United States](/usc/18/229F.md?p=9)—

Shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.


## Source credit

(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 811; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, § 330016(1)(H), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147.)

## Notes

### Historical and Revision Notes

Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., § 7 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, § 7, 35 Stat. 1089).

Mandatory punishment provision was rephrased in the alternative.

Minor changes were made in phraseology.

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1994—Pub. L. 103–322 substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $1,000” in last par.