8 USC 1231 - Detention and removal of aliens ordered removed

U.S Code last checked for updates: Feb 21, 2025

§ 1231.

Detention and removal of aliens ordered removed

(a)

Detention, release, and removal of aliens ordered removed

(1)

Removal period

(A)

In general

(B)

Beginning of period

The removal period begins on the latest of the following:

(i)

The date the order of removal becomes administratively final.

(ii)

If the removal order is judicially reviewed and if a court orders a stay of the removal of the alien, the date of the court’s final order.

(iii)

If the alien is detained or confined (except under an immigration process), the date the alien is released from detention or confinement.

(C)

Suspension of period

(2)

Detention

(A)

In general

(B)

Enforcement by attorney general of a State

(3)

Supervision after 90-day period

If the alien does not leave or is not removed within the removal period, the alien, pending removal, shall be subject to supervision under regulations prescribed by the Attorney General. The regulations shall include provisions requiring the alien—

(A)

to appear before an immigration officer periodically for identification;

(B)

to submit, if necessary, to a medical and psychiatric examination at the expense of the United States Government;

(C)

to give information under oath about the alien’s nationality, circumstances, habits, associations, and activities, and other information the Attorney General considers appropriate; and

(D)

to obey reasonable written restrictions on the alien’s conduct or activities that the Attorney General prescribes for the alien.

(4)

Aliens imprisoned, arrested, or on parole, supervised release, or probation

(A)

In general

(B)

The Attorney General is authorized to remove an alien in accordance with applicable procedures under this chapter before the alien has completed a sentence of imprisonment—

(i)

in the case of an alien in the custody of the Attorney General, if the Attorney General determines that (I) the alien is confined pursuant to a final conviction for a nonviolent offense (other than an offense related to smuggling or harboring of aliens or an offense described in section 1101(a)(43)(B), (C), (E), (I), or (L) of this title 3

 So in original. Probably should be followed by a closing parenthesis.

and (II) the removal of the alien is appropriate and in the best interest of the United States; or

(ii)

in the case of an alien in the custody of a State (or a political subdivision of a State), if the chief State official exercising authority with respect to the incarceration of the alien determines that (I) the alien is confined pursuant to a final conviction for a nonviolent offense (other than an offense described in section 1101(a)(43)(C) or (E) of this title), (II) the removal is appropriate and in the best interest of the State, and (III) submits a written request to the Attorney General that such alien be so removed.

(C)

Notice

(D)

No private right

(5)

Reinstatement of removal orders against aliens illegally reentering

(6)

Inadmissible or criminal aliens

(7)

Employment authorization

No alien ordered removed shall be eligible to receive authorization to be employed in the United States unless the Attorney General makes a specific finding that—

(A)

the alien cannot be removed due to the refusal of all countries designated by the alien or under this section to receive the alien, or

(B)

the removal of the alien is otherwise impracticable or contrary to the public interest.

(b)

Countries to which aliens may be removed

(1)

Aliens arriving at the United States

Subject to paragraph (3)—

(A)

In general

(B)

Travel from contiguous territory

(C)

Alternative countries

If the government of the country designated in subparagraph (A) or (B) is unwilling to accept the alien into that country’s territory, removal shall be to any of the following countries, as directed by the Attorney General:

(i)

The country of which the alien is a citizen, subject, or national.

(ii)

The country in which the alien was born.

(iii)

The country in which the alien has a residence.

(iv)

A country with a government that will accept the alien into the country’s territory if removal to each country described in a previous clause of this subparagraph is impracticable, inadvisable, or impossible.

(2)

Other aliens

Subject to paragraph (3)—

(A)

Selection of country by alien

Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph—

(i)

any alien not described in paragraph (1) who has been ordered removed may designate one country to which the alien wants to be removed, and

(ii)

the Attorney General shall remove the alien to the country the alien so designates.

(B)

Limitation on designation

(C)

Disregarding designation

The Attorney General may disregard a designation under subparagraph (A)(i) if—

(i)

the alien fails to designate a country promptly;

(ii)

the government of the country does not inform the Attorney General finally, within 30 days after the date the Attorney General first inquires, whether the government will accept the alien into the country;

(iii)

the government of the country is not willing to accept the alien into the country; or

(iv)

the Attorney General decides that removing the alien to the country is prejudicial to the United States.

(D)

Alternative country

If an alien is not removed to a country designated under subparagraph (A)(i), the Attorney General shall remove the alien to a country of which the alien is a subject, national, or citizen unless the government of the country—

(i)

does not inform the Attorney General or the alien finally, within 30 days after the date the Attorney General first inquires or within another period of time the Attorney General decides is reasonable, whether the government will accept the alien into the country; or

(ii)

is not willing to accept the alien into the country.

(E)

Additional removal countries

If an alien is not removed to a country under the previous subparagraphs of this paragraph, the Attorney General shall remove the alien to any of the following countries:

(i)

The country from which the alien was admitted to the United States.

(ii)

The country in which is located the foreign port from which the alien left for the United States or for a foreign territory contiguous to the United States.

(iii)

A country in which the alien resided before the alien entered the country from which the alien entered the United States.

(iv)

The country in which the alien was born.

(v)

The country that had sovereignty over the alien’s birthplace when the alien was born.

(vi)

The country in which the alien’s birthplace is located when the alien is ordered removed.

(vii)

If impracticable, inadvisable, or impossible to remove the alien to each country described in a previous clause of this subparagraph, another country whose government will accept the alien into that country.

(F)

Removal country when United States is at war

When the United States is at war and the Attorney General decides that it is impracticable, inadvisable, inconvenient, or impossible to remove an alien under this subsection because of the war, the Attorney General may remove the alien—

(i)

to the country that is host to a government in exile of the country of which the alien is a citizen or subject if the government of the host country will permit the alien’s entry; or

(ii)

if the recognized government of the country of which the alien is a citizen or subject is not in exile, to a country, or a political or territorial subdivision of a country, that is very near the country of which the alien is a citizen or subject, or, with the consent of the government of the country of which the alien is a citizen or subject, to another country.

(3)

Restriction on removal to a country where alien’s life or freedom would be threatened

(A)

In general

(B)

Exception

Subparagraph (A) does not apply to an alien deportable under section 1227(a)(4)(D) of this title or if the Attorney General decides that—

(i)

the alien ordered, incited, assisted, or otherwise participated in the persecution of an individual because of the individual’s race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion;

(ii)

the alien, having been convicted by a final judgment of a particularly serious crime is a danger to the community of the United States;

(iii)

there are serious reasons to believe that the alien committed a serious nonpolitical crime outside the United States before the alien arrived in the United States; or

(iv)

there are reasonable grounds to believe that the alien is a danger to the security of the United States.

For purposes of clause (ii), an alien who has been convicted of an aggravated felony (or felonies) for which the alien has been sentenced to an aggregate term of imprisonment of at least 5 years shall be considered to have committed a particularly serious crime. The previous sentence shall not preclude the Attorney General from determining that, notwithstanding the length of sentence imposed, an alien has been convicted of a particularly serious crime. For purposes of clause (iv), an alien who is described in section 1227(a)(4)(B) of this title shall be considered to be an alien with respect to whom there are reasonable grounds for regarding as a danger to the security of the United States.

(C)

Sustaining burden of proof; credibility determinations

(c)

Removal of aliens arriving at port of entry

(1)

Vessels and aircraft

An alien arriving at a port of entry of the United States who is ordered removed either without a hearing under section 1225(b)(1) or 1225(c) of this title or pursuant to proceedings under section 1229a of this title initiated at the time of such alien’s arrival shall be removed immediately on a vessel or aircraft owned by the owner of the vessel or aircraft on which the alien arrived in the United States, unless—

(A)

it is impracticable to remove the alien on one of those vessels or aircraft within a reasonable time, or

(B)

the alien is a stowaway—

(i)

who has been ordered removed in accordance with section 1225(a)(1) of this title,

(ii)

who has requested asylum, and

(iii)

whose application has not been adjudicated or whose asylum application has been denied but who has not exhausted all appeal rights.

(2)

Stay of removal

(A)

In general

The Attorney General may stay the removal of an alien under this subsection if the Attorney General decides that—

(i)

immediate removal is not practicable or proper; or

(ii)

the alien is needed to testify in the prosecution of a person for a violation of a law of the United States or of any State.

(B)

Payment of detention costs

During the period an alien is detained because of a stay of removal under subparagraph (A)(ii), the Attorney General may pay from the appropriation “Immigration and Naturalization Service—Salaries and Expenses”—

(i)

the cost of maintenance of the alien; and

(ii)

a witness fee of $1 a day.

(C)

Release during stay

The Attorney General may release an alien whose removal is stayed under subparagraph (A)(ii) on—

(i)

the alien’s filing a bond of at least $500 with security approved by the Attorney General;

(ii)

condition that the alien appear when required as a witness and for removal; and

(iii)

other conditions the Attorney General may prescribe.

(3)

Costs of detention and maintenance pending removal

(A)

In general

Except as provided in subparagraph (B) and subsection (d),4

 So in original. Probably should be subsection “(e),”.

an owner of a vessel or aircraft bringing an alien to the United States shall pay the costs of detaining and maintaining the alien—

(i)

while the alien is detained under subsection (d)(1), and

(ii)

in the case of an alien who is a stowaway, while the alien is being detained pursuant to—

(I)

subsection (d)(2)(A) or (d)(2)(B)(i),

(II)

subsection (d)(2)(B)(ii) or (iii) for the period of time reasonably necessary for the owner to arrange for repatriation or removal of the stowaway, including obtaining necessary travel documents, but not to extend beyond the date on which it is ascertained that such travel documents cannot be obtained from the country to which the stowaway is to be returned, or

(III)

section 1225(b)(1)(B)(ii) of this title, for a period not to exceed 15 days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays) commencing on the first such day which begins on the earlier of 72 hours after the time of the initial presentation of the stowaway for inspection or at the time the stowaway is determined to have a credible fear of persecution.

(B)

Nonapplication

Subparagraph (A) shall not apply if—

(i)

the alien is a crewmember;

(ii)

the alien has an immigrant visa;

(iii)

the alien has a nonimmigrant visa or other documentation authorizing the alien to apply for temporary admission to the United States and applies for admission not later than 120 days after the date the visa or documentation was issued;

(iv)

the alien has a reentry permit and applies for admission not later than 120 days after the date of the alien’s last inspection and admission;

(v)

(I)

the alien has a nonimmigrant visa or other documentation authorizing the alien to apply for temporary admission to the United States or a reentry permit;

(II)

the alien applies for admission more than 120 days after the date the visa or documentation was issued or after the date of the last inspection and admission under the reentry permit; and

(III)

the owner of the vessel or aircraft satisfies the Attorney General that the existence of the condition relating to inadmissibility could not have been discovered by exercising reasonable care before the alien boarded the vessel or aircraft; or

(vi)

the individual claims to be a national of the United States and has a United States passport.

(d)

Requirements of persons providing transportation

(1)

Removal at time of arrival

An owner, agent, master, commanding officer, person in charge, purser, or consignee of a vessel or aircraft bringing an alien (except an alien crewmember) to the United States shall—

(A)

receive an alien back on the vessel or aircraft or another vessel or aircraft owned or operated by the same interests if the alien is ordered removed under this part; and

(B)

take the alien to the foreign country to which the alien is ordered removed.

(2)

Alien stowaways

An owner, agent, master, commanding officer, charterer, or consignee of a vessel or aircraft arriving in the United States with an alien stowaway—

(A)

shall detain the alien on board the vessel or aircraft, or at such place as the Attorney General shall designate, until completion of the inspection of the alien by an immigration officer;

(B)

may not permit the stowaway to land in the United States, except pursuant to regulations of the Attorney General temporarily—

(i)

for medical treatment,

(ii)

for detention of the stowaway by the Attorney General, or

(iii)

for departure or removal of the stowaway; and

(C)

if ordered by an immigration officer, shall remove the stowaway on the vessel or aircraft or on another vessel or aircraft.

The Attorney General shall grant a timely request to remove the stowaway under subparagraph (C) on a vessel or aircraft other than that on which the stowaway arrived if the requester has obtained any travel documents necessary for departure or repatriation of the stowaway and removal of the stowaway will not be unreasonably delayed.

(3)

Removal upon order

(e)

Payment of expenses of removal

(1)

Costs of removal at time of arrival

In the case of an alien who is a stowaway or who is ordered removed either without a hearing under section 1225(a)(1) 5

 So in original. Probably should be “1225(b)(1)”.

or 1225(c) of this title or pursuant to proceedings under section 1229a of this title initiated at the time of such alien’s arrival, the owner of the vessel or aircraft (if any) on which the alien arrived in the United States shall pay the transportation cost of removing the alien. If removal is on a vessel or aircraft not owned by the owner of the vessel or aircraft on which the alien arrived in the United States, the Attorney General may—

(A)

pay the cost from the appropriation “Immigration and Naturalization Service—Salaries and Expenses”; and

(B)

recover the amount of the cost in a civil action from the owner, agent, or consignee of the vessel or aircraft (if any) on which the alien arrived in the United States.

(2)

Costs of removal to port of removal for aliens admitted or permitted to land

(3)

Costs of removal from port of removal for aliens admitted or permitted to land

(A)

Through appropriation

(B)

Through owner

(i)

In general

(ii)

Aliens described

An alien described in this clause is an alien who—

(I)

is admitted to the United States (other than lawfully admitted for permanent residence) and is ordered removed within 5 years of the date of admission based on a ground that existed before or at the time of admission, or

(II)

is an alien crewman permitted to land temporarily under section 1282 of this title and is ordered removed within 5 years of the date of landing.

(C)

Costs of removal of certain aliens granted voluntary departure

(f)

Aliens requiring personal care during removal

(1)

In general

(2)

Costs

(g)

Places of detention

(1)

In general

(2)

Detention facilities of the Immigration and Naturalization Service

(h)

Statutory construction

(i)

Incarceration

(1)

If the chief executive officer of a State (or, if appropriate, a political subdivision of the State) exercising authority with respect to the incarceration of an undocumented criminal alien submits a written request to the Attorney General, the Attorney General shall, as determined by the Attorney General—

(A)

enter into a contractual arrangement which provides for compensation to the State or a political subdivision of the State, as may be appropriate, with respect to the incarceration of the undocumented criminal alien; or

(B)

take the undocumented criminal alien into the custody of the Federal Government and incarcerate the alien.

(2)

Compensation under paragraph (1)(A) shall be the average cost of incarceration of a prisoner in the relevant State as determined by the Attorney General.

(3)

For purposes of this subsection, the term “undocumented criminal alien” means an alien who—

(A)

has been convicted of a felony or two or more misdemeanors; and

(B)

(i)

entered the United States without inspection or at any time or place other than as designated by the Attorney General;

(ii)

was the subject of exclusion or deportation proceedings at the time he or she was taken into custody by the State or a political subdivision of the State; or

(iii)

was admitted as a nonimmigrant and at the time he or she was taken into custody by the State or a political subdivision of the State has failed to maintain the nonimmigrant status in which the alien was admitted or to which it was changed under section 1258 of this title, or to comply with the conditions of any such status.

(4)

(A)

In carrying out paragraph (1), the Attorney General shall give priority to the Federal incarceration of undocumented criminal aliens who have committed aggravated felonies.

(B)

The Attorney General shall ensure that undocumented criminal aliens incarcerated in Federal facilities pursuant to this subsection are held in facilities which provide a level of security appropriate to the crimes for which they were convicted.

(5)

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection—

(A)

$750,000,000 for fiscal year 2006;

(B)

$850,000,000 for fiscal year 2007; and

(C)

$950,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2008 through 2011.

(6)

Amounts appropriated pursuant to the authorization of appropriations in paragraph (5) that are distributed to a State or political subdivision of a State, including a municipality, may be used only for correctional purposes.

(June 27, 1952, ch. 477, title II, ch. 4, § 241, as added and amended Pub. L. 104–208, div. C, title III, §§ 305(a)(3), 306(a)(1), 328(a)(1), Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–598, 3009–607, 3009–630; Pub. L. 107–273, div. C, title I, § 11014, Nov. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 1824; Pub. L. 109–13, div. B, title I, § 101(c), May 11, 2005, 119 Stat. 303; Pub. L. 109–162, title XI, § 1196(a), (b), Jan. 5, 2006, 119 Stat. 3130; Pub. L. 119–1, § 3(e), Jan. 29, 2025, 139 Stat. 5.)

cite as: 8 USC 1231