Federal · Title 18 — Crimes and Criminal Procedure

18 U.S.C. § 1425: Procurement of citizenship or naturalization unlawfully

Felony

What this law says, in plain English

A federal statute prohibiting the knowing and unlawful procurement or issuance of citizenship, naturalization documents, or related evidence. Violations carry imprisonment of 10–25 years depending on circumstances and prior offenses.

Read the full statutory text
Whoever knowingly procures or attempts to procure, contrary to law, the naturalization of any person, or documentary or other evidence of naturalization or of citizenship; or Whoever, whether for himself or another person not entitled thereto, knowingly issues, procures or obtains or applies for or otherwise attempts to procure or obtain naturalization, or citizenship, or a declaration of intention to become a citizen, or a certificate of arrival or any certificate or evidence of nationalization or citizenship, documentary or otherwise, or duplicates or copies of any of the foregoing— Shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 25 years (if the offense was committed to facilitate an act of international terrorism (as defined in section 2331 of this title )), 20 years (if the offense was committed to facilitate a drug trafficking crime (as defined in section 929(a) of this title )), 10 years (in the case of the first or second such offense, if the offense was not committed to facilitate such an act of international terrorism or a drug trafficking crime), or 15 years (in the case of any other offense), or both.

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This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.