---
kind: "section"
citation: "8 U.S.C. § 1323"
title: "8"
title_heading: "Aliens and Nationality"
number: "1323"
heading: "Unlawful bringing of aliens into United States"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/8/1323"
units:
  - "Chapter 12 — Immigration and Nationality"
  - "Subchapter II — Immigration"
  - "Part VIII — General Penalty Provisions"
---

# §1323. Unlawful bringing of aliens into United States

- (a) **Persons liable—**
  - (1) It shall be unlawful for any [person](/usc/8/1101.md?p=b-3), including any transportation company, or the owner, master, commanding officer, agent, charterer, or consignee of any vessel or aircraft, to bring to the [United States](/usc/8/1101.md?p=a-38) from any place outside thereof (other than from foreign contiguous territory) any [alien](/usc/8/1101.md?p=a-3) who does not have a valid [passport](/usc/8/1101.md?p=a-30) and an unexpired visa, if a visa was required under this chapter or regulations issued thereunder.
  - (2) It is unlawful for an owner, agent, master, commanding officer, [person](/usc/8/1101.md?p=b-3) in charge, purser, or consignee of a vessel or aircraft who is bringing an [alien](/usc/8/1101.md?p=a-3) (except an [alien](/usc/8/1101.md?p=a-3) crewmember) to the [United States](/usc/8/1101.md?p=a-38) to take any consideration to be kept or returned contingent on whether an [alien](/usc/8/1101.md?p=a-3) is [admitted](/usc/8/1101.md?p=a-13-A) to, or ordered removed from, the [United States](/usc/8/1101.md?p=a-38).
- (b) **Evidence—** If it appears to the satisfaction of the [Attorney General](/usc/8/1101.md?p=a-5) that any [alien](/usc/8/1101.md?p=a-3) has been so brought, such [person](/usc/8/1101.md?p=b-3), or transportation company, or the master, commanding officer, agent, owner, charterer, or consignee of any such vessel or aircraft, shall pay to the [Commissioner](/usc/8/1101.md?p=a-8) a fine of $3,000 for each [alien](/usc/8/1101.md?p=a-3) so brought and, except in the case of any such [alien](/usc/8/1101.md?p=a-3) who is [admitted](/usc/8/1101.md?p=a-13-A), or permitted to land temporarily, in addition, an amount equal to that paid by such [alien](/usc/8/1101.md?p=a-3) for his transportation from the initial point of departure, indicated in his ticket, to the port of arrival, such latter fine to be delivered by the [Commissioner](/usc/8/1101.md?p=a-8) to the [alien](/usc/8/1101.md?p=a-3) on whose account the assessment is made. No vessel or aircraft shall be granted clearance pending the determination of the liability to the payment of such fine or while such fine remains unpaid, except that clearance may be granted prior to the determination of such question upon the deposit of an amount sufficient to cover such fine, or of a bond with sufficient surety to secure the payment thereof approved by the [Commissioner](/usc/8/1101.md?p=a-8).
- (c) **Remission or refund—** Except as provided in [subsection (e)](#e), such fine shall not be remitted or refunded, unless it appears to the satisfaction of the [Attorney General](/usc/8/1101.md?p=a-5) that such [person](/usc/8/1101.md?p=b-3), and the owner, master, commanding officer, agent, charterer, and consignee of the vessel or aircraft, prior to the departure of the vessel or aircraft from the last port outside the [United States](/usc/8/1101.md?p=a-38), did not know, and could not have ascertained by the exercise of reasonable diligence, that the individual transported was an [alien](/usc/8/1101.md?p=a-3) and that a valid [passport](/usc/8/1101.md?p=a-30) or visa was required.
- (d) **Repealed. Pub. L. 104–208, div. C, title III, § 308(e)(13), Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–620—**
- (e) **Reduction, refund, or waiver—** A fine under this section may be reduced, refunded, or waived under such regulations as the [Attorney General](/usc/8/1101.md?p=a-5) shall prescribe in cases in which—
  - (1) the carrier demonstrates that it had screened all passengers on the vessel or aircraft in accordance with procedures prescribed by the [Attorney General](/usc/8/1101.md?p=a-5), or
  - (2) circumstances exist that the [Attorney General](/usc/8/1101.md?p=a-5) determines would justify such reduction, refund, or waiver.

## Source credit

(June 27, 1952, ch. 477, title II, ch. 8, § 273, 66 Stat. 227; Pub. L. 101–649, title II, § 201(b), title V, § 543(a)(10), Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 5014, 5058; Pub. L. 102–232, title III, § 306(c)(4)(D), Dec. 12, 1991, 105 Stat. 1752; Pub. L. 103–416, title II, §§ 209(a), 216, 219(p), Oct. 25, 1994, 108 Stat. 4312, 4315, 4317; Pub. L. 104–208, div. C, title III, §§ 308(c)(3), (e)(13), 371(b)(8), title VI, § 671(b)(6), (7), Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–616, 3009–620, 3009–645, 3009–722.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

This chapter, referred to in subsec. (a)(1), was in the original, “this Act”, meaning act June 27, 1952, ch. 477, 66 Stat. 163, known as the Immigration and Nationality Act, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1101 of this title and Tables.

### Amendments

1996—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 104–208, § 308(c)(3), designated existing provisions as par. (1) and added par. (2).

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 104–208, § 671(b)(7), made technical amendment to directory language of Pub. L. 103–416, § 209(a)(1). See 1994 Amendment note below.

Pub. L. 104–208, § 671(b)(6), substituted “remains” for “remain”.

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 104–208, § 371(b)(8), substituted “immigration judges” for “special inquiry officers”.

Pub. L. 104–208, § 308(e)(13), struck out subsec. (d) which read as follows: “The owner, charterer, agent, consignee, commanding officer, or master of any vessel or aircraft arriving at the United States from any place outside the United States who fails to deport any alien stowaway on the vessel or aircraft on which such stowaway arrived or on another vessel or aircraft at the expense of the vessel or aircraft on which such stowaway arrived when required to do so by an immigration officer, shall pay to the Commissioner a fine of $3,000 for each alien stowaway, in respect of whom any such failure occurs. Pending final determination of liability for such fine, no such vessel or aircraft shall be granted clearance, except that clearance may be granted upon the deposit of an amount sufficient to cover such fine, or of a bond with sufficient surety to secure the payment thereof approved by the Commissioner. The provisions of section 1225 of this title for detention of aliens for examination before immigration judges and the right of appeal provided for in section 1226 of this title shall not apply to aliens who arrive as stowaways and no such alien shall be permitted to land in the United States, except temporarily for medical treatment, or pursuant to such regulations as the Attorney General may prescribe for the ultimate departure or removal or deportation of such alien from the United States.”

1994—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 103–416, § 219(p), in first sentence substituted “Commissioner” for “collector of customs” before “to the alien”.

Pub. L. 103–416, § 209(a)(1), as amended by Pub. L. 104–208, § 671(b)(7), substituted “a fine of $3,000” for “the sum of $3,000”.

Pub. L. 103–416, § 209(a)(2), (4), in first sentence substituted “an amount equal to” for “a sum equal to” and “such latter fine” for “such latter sum”, and in second sentence substituted “such fine or while such fine” for “such sums or while such sums” and “cover such fine” for “cover such sums”.

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 103–416, § 209(a)(4), (5), substituted “Except as provided in subsection (e), such fine” for “Such sums”.

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 103–416, § 216, amended first sentence generally. Prior to amendment, first sentence read as follows: “The owner, charterer, agent, consignee, commanding officer, or master of any vessel or aircraft arriving at the United States from any place outside thereof who fails to detain on board or at such other place as may be designated by an immigration officer any alien stowaway until such stowaway has been inspected by an immigration officer, or who fails to detain such stowaway on board or at such other designated place after inspection if ordered to do so by an immigration officer, or who fails to deport such stowaway on the vessel or aircraft on which he arrived or on another vessel or aircraft at the expense of the vessel or aircraft on which he arrived when required to do so by an immigration officer, shall pay to the Commissioner the sum of $3,000 for each alien stowaway, in respect of whom any such failure occurs.”

Pub. L. 103–416, § 209(a)(1), which directed that subsec. (d) be amended by substituting “a fine of $3,000” for “the sum of $3000”, was executed in the first sentence by making the substitution for “the sum of $3,000”, to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

Pub. L. 103–416, § 209(a)(3), in second sentence substituted “an amount” for “a sum” before “sufficient to cover such fine”.

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 103–416, § 209(a)(6), added subsec. (e).

1991—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 102–232 substituted “Commissioner” for “collector of customs” before period at end of second sentence.

1990—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 101–649, § 201(b)(1), inserted “a valid passport and” before “an unexpired visa”.

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 101–649, § 543(a)(10)(A), substituted “Commissioner the sum of $3,000” for “collector of customs of the customs district in which the port of arrival is located the sum of $1,000”.

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 101–649, § 201(b)(2), inserted “valid passport or” before “visa was required”.

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 101–649, § 543(a)(10)(B), substituted “Commissioner the sum of $3,000” for “collector of customs of the customs district in which the port of arrival is located the sum of $1,000” in first sentence and “Commissioner” for “collector of customs” in second sentence.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 1996 Amendment

Amendment by section 308(c)(3), (e)(13) of Pub. L. 104–208 effective, with certain transitional provisions, on the first day of the first month beginning more than 180 days after Sept. 30, 1996, see section 309 of Pub. L. 104–208, set out as a note under section 1101 of this title.

Amendment by section 371(b)(8) of Pub. L. 104–208 effective Sept. 30, 1996, see section 371(d)(1) of Pub. L. 104–208, set out as a note under section 1101 of this title.

Amendment by section 671(b)(6), (7) of Pub. L. 104–208 effective as if included in the enactment of the Immigration and Nationality Technical Corrections Act of 1994, Pub. L. 103–416, see section 671(b)(14) of Pub. L. 104–208, set out as a note under section 1101 of this title.

### Effective Date of 1994 Amendment

Pub. L. 103–416, title II, § 209(b), Oct. 25, 1994, 108 Stat. 4312, as amended by Pub. L. 104–208, div. C, title VI, § 671(b)(8), Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–722, provided that: “The amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall apply with respect to aliens brought to the United States more than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 25, 1994].”

Amendment by section 219(p) of Pub. L. 103–416 effective as if included in the enactment of the Immigration Act of 1990, Pub. L. 101–649, see section 219(dd) of Pub. L. 103–416, set out as a note under section 1101 of this title.

### Effective Date of 1991 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 102–232 effective as if included in the enactment of the Immigration Act of 1990, Pub. L. 101–649, see section 310(1) of Pub. L. 102–232, set out as a note under section 1101 of this title.

### Effective Date of 1990 Amendment

Amendment by section 543(a)(10) of Pub. L. 101–649 applicable to actions taken after Nov. 29, 1990, see section 543(c) of Pub. L. 101–649, set out as a note under section 1221 of this title.

### Abolition of Immigration and Naturalization Service and Transfer of Functions

For abolition of Immigration and Naturalization Service, transfer of functions, and treatment of related references, see note set out under section 1551 of this title.