Federal · Title 18 — Crimes and Criminal Procedure

18 U.S.C. § 1597: Unlawful conduct with respect to immigration documents

Misdemeanor

What this law says, in plain English

Federal law prohibits unlawful conduct with immigration documents in connection with human trafficking or labor violations. Violations carry fines and/or imprisonment of up to one year; obstruction of enforcement carries the same penalties.

Read the full statutory text

in the course of violating section 1351 of this title or section 274 of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1324 ); with intent to violate section 1351 of this title or section 274 of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1324 ); or in order to, without lawful authority, maintain, prevent, or restrict the labor of services of the individual. Any person who violates subsection (a) shall be fined under this title, imprisoned for not more than 1 year, or both. Any person who knowingly obstructs, attempts to obstruct, or in any way interferes with or prevents the enforcement of this section, shall be subject to the penalties described in subsection (b).

Verify at the official source: Federal legislative text

Facing this? Know exactly what happens next.

MOFRD turns this code section into your situation: the deadlines that apply to you, the forms your county uses, and the resolution paths people in your position actually take. Free for 3 days — no card required.

Start your matter free Ask Law Link about this code

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.