Title 8Aliens and NationalityRelease 119-73

§1102 Diplomatic and semidiplomatic immunities

Title 8 › Chapter CHAPTER 12— - IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER I— - GENERAL PROVISIONS › § 1102

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

People who stay in certain nonimmigrant categories are not subject to the normal rules that can make someone ineligible for a visa or force them to be removed from the United States while they remain in those categories. This covers the classes listed at 1101(a)(15)(A)(i); 1101(a)(15)(G)(i); and 1101(a)(15)(A)(ii), (G)(ii), (G)(iii), and (G)(iv). They still must meet passport and visa identification rules needed to prove they qualify. The limits in 1182(a)(3)(A)–(C) also still apply, and for 1101(a)(15)(A)(i) the President may set rules about how those limits are applied.

Full Legal Text

Title 8, §1102

Aliens and Nationality — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, for so long as they continue in the nonimmigrant classes enumerated in this section, the provisions of this chapter relating to ineligibility to receive visas and the removal of aliens shall not be construed to apply to nonimmigrants—
(1)within the class described in paragraph (15)(A)(i) of section 1101(a) of this title, except those provisions relating to reasonable requirements of passports and visas as a means of identification and documentation necessary to establish their qualifications under such paragraph (15)(A)(i), and, under such rules and regulations as the President may deem to be necessary, the provisions of subparagraphs (A) through (C) of section 1182(a)(3) of this title;
(2)within the class described in paragraph (15)(G)(i) of section 1101(a) of this title, except those provisions relating to reasonable requirements of passports and visas as a means of identification and documentation necessary to establish their qualifications under such paragraph (15)(G)(i), and the provisions of subparagraphs (A) through (C) of section 1182(a)(3) of this title; and
(3)within the classes described in paragraphs (15)(A)(ii), (15)(G)(ii), (15)(G)(iii), or (15)(G)(iv) of section 1101(a) of this title, except those provisions relating to reasonable requirements of passports and visas as a means of identification and documentation necessary to establish their qualifications under such paragraphs, and the provisions of subparagraphs (A) through (C) of section 1182(a)(3) of this title.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

This chapter, referred to in introductory provisions, 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—Pub. L. 104–208 substituted “removal” for “exclusion or deportation” in introductory provisions. 1991—Pars. (1) to (3). Pub. L. 102–232 substituted “subparagraphs (A) through (C) of section 1182(a)(3) of this title” for “paragraph (3) (other than subparagraph (E)) of section 1182(a) of this title”. 1990—Pars. (1) to (3). Pub. L. 101–649 substituted “(3) (other than subparagraph (E))” for “(27)” in pars. (1) and (2), and “paragraph (3) (other than subparagraph (E))” for “paragraphs (27) and (29)” in par. (3). 1988—Par. (2). Pub. L. 100–525 substituted “documentation” for “documentaion”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

of 1996 AmendmentAmendment by 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.

Effective Date

of 1991 AmendmentAmendment 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 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 101–649 applicable to individuals entering United States on or after June 1, 1991, see section 601(e)(1) of Pub. L. 101–649, set out as a note under section 1101 of this title. Denial of Visas to Certain Representatives to United Nations Pub. L. 101–246, title IV, § 407, Feb. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 67, as amended by Pub. L. 113–100, § 1, Apr. 18, 2014, 128 Stat. 1145, provided that: “(a) In General.—The President shall use his authority, including the authorities contained in section 6 of the United Nations Headquarters Agreement Act (Public Law 80–357) [Aug. 4, 1947, ch. 482, set out as a note under 22 U.S.C. 287], to deny any individual’s admission to the United States as a representative to the United Nations if the President determines that such individual—“(1) has been found to have been engaged in espionage activities or a terrorist activity (as defined in section 212(a)(3)(B)(iii) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(3)(B)(iii))) directed against the United States or its allies; and “(2) may pose a threat to United States national security interests. “(b) Waiver.—The President may waive the provisions of subsection (a) if the President determines, and so notifies the Congress, that such a waiver is in the national security interests of the United States.”

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

8 U.S.C. § 1102

Title 8Aliens and Nationality

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73