Title 50 › CHAPTER 13 — INSURRECTION › § 205
If the President calls out the militia to enforce federal law and the armed groups do not leave by the time set, or if those groups claim to act for a State and the State’s officials do not reject or stop them, or if the President finds people in a part of a State are in open rebellion, the President may issue a public declaration that the area is in insurrection. After that declaration, trade and travel between that area and the rest of the United States become illegal while the fighting continues. Any goods, other property, and the vehicles or vessels carrying them or people to or from that area may be seized by the United States.
Full Legal Text
War and National Defense, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Legislative History
Reference
Citation
50 U.S.C. § 205
Title 50, War and National Defense
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102