Title 42, The Public Health and WelfareRelease 119-102
§265 Suspension of Entries and Imports From Designated Places to Prevent Spread of Communicable Diseases
Title 42 › CHAPTER 6A — PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE › SUBCHAPTER II — GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES › Part G — Quarantine and Inspection › § 265
Summary
The Surgeon General can stop some or all people and goods from entering the United States from a foreign place when a contagious disease there poses a serious risk of coming here. He may do this under rules the President approves and for as long as needed.
Full Legal Text
Title 42, §265
The Public Health and Welfare, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Whenever the Surgeon General determines that by reason of the existence of any communicable disease in a foreign country there is serious danger of the introduction of such disease into the United States, and that this danger is so increased by the introduction of persons or property from such country that a suspension of the right to introduce such persons and property is required in the interest of the public health, the Surgeon General, in accordance with regulations approved by the President, shall have the power to prohibit, in whole or in part, the introduction of persons and property from such countries or places as he shall designate in order to avert such danger, and for such period of time as he may deem necessary for such purpose.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Change of Name
“Secretary of Health and Human Services” substituted for “Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare” pursuant to section 509(b) of Pub. L. 96–88, which is classified to section 3508(b) of Title 20, Education.
Executive Documents
Transfer of Functions
Office of Surgeon General abolished by section 3 of Reorg. Plan No. 3 of 1966, eff. June 25, 1966, 31 F.R. 8855, 80 Stat. 1610, and functions thereof transferred to Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare by section 1 of Reorg. Plan No. 3 of 1966, set out as a note under section 202 of this title. Office of Surgeon General reestablished within the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, see Notice of Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, Mar. 30, 1987, 52 F.R. 11754. Delegation of Functions For assignment of functions of President under this section, see section 3 of Ex. Ord. No. 13295, Apr. 4, 2003, 68 F.R. 17255, set out as a note under section 264 of this title.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
42 U.S.C. § 265
Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102