8 U.S.C. § 1327 – Aiding or Assisting Certain Inadmissible Aliens to Enter
A narrowly targeted statute focused on facilitating entry by high-risk inadmissible individuals.
What § 1327 covers.
Section 1327 makes it a federal crime to knowingly aid, assist, or conspire to help certain inadmissible aliens enter the United States when those individuals fall into the most serious inadmissibility categories under federal immigration law.
This statute does not apply to all undocumented entry—it specifically targets assistance involving aliens deemed dangerous or security risks.
Who qualifies as “inadmissible” under this section.
The statute applies when the alien is inadmissible under:
- 8 U.S.C. § 1182(a)(2) — aliens convicted of aggravated felonies
- 8 U.S.C. § 1182(a)(3) — aliens inadmissible on national security, terrorism, espionage, or foreign policy grounds (excluding subsection (E))
Prohibited conduct.
A person may be charged under § 1327 for:
- Knowingly aiding or assisting such an alien to enter the United States
- Conniving to allow entry
- Conspiring with others to procure or permit entry
The government must prove knowledge—that the defendant knew the alien fell into one of the covered inadmissibility categories.
Penalties.
A violation of § 1327 is punishable by:
- Up to 10 years in federal prison
- Federal fines under Title 18
Unlike § 1324, penalties here do not depend on commercial gain or the number of aliens involved. The status of the alien is the driving factor.
Why § 1327 matters.
This statute frequently appears in national security, terrorism, and organized crime investigations. It is often charged alongside conspiracy, material support, or false statement offenses and can trigger intense federal scrutiny.
If federal authorities are alleging assistance involving a high-risk or criminally inadmissible individual, exposure escalates fast. Call (314) 900-HELP or contact our federal criminal defense attorneys to address the allegations before charges broaden.
