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Title 8 — Aliens and NationalityRelease 119-73not60

§1374 Information Regarding Female Genital Mutilation

Title 8 › Chapter 12— IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY › Subchapter II— IMMIGRATION › Part IX— Miscellaneous › § 1374

Last updated Apr 3, 2026|Official source

Summary

INS, with the State Department, must give people who get immigrant or nonimmigrant visas, before or at entry, information about female genital mutilation. The material must explain the serious physical and mental harm, focus on the practice while respecting cultural values, and describe U.S. criminal and child‑protection consequences for performing FGM or allowing a child in your care to undergo it. INS must list countries where FGM is common and, to the extent practicable, limit the information to people from those countries. Female genital mutilation means removal or infibulation (or both) of all or part of the clitoris, the labia minora, or the labia majora.

Full Legal Text

Title 8, §1374

Aliens and Nationality — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)The Immigration and Naturalization Service (in cooperation with the Department of State) shall make available for all aliens who are issued immigrant or nonimmigrant visas, prior to or at the time of entry into the United States, the following information:
(1)Information on the severe harm to physical and psychological health caused by female genital mutilation which is compiled and presented in a manner which is limited to the practice itself and respectful to the cultural values of the societies in which such practice takes place.
(2)Information concerning potential legal consequences in the United States for (A) performing female genital mutilation, or (B) allowing a child under his or her care to be subjected to female genital mutilation, under criminal or child protection statutes or as a form of child abuse.
(b)In consultation with the Secretary of State, the Commissioner of Immigration and Naturalization shall identify those countries in which female genital mutilation is commonly practiced and, to the extent practicable, limit the provision of information under subsection (a) to aliens from such countries.
(c)For purposes of this section, the term “female genital mutilation” means the removal or infibulation (or both) of the whole or part of the clitoris, the labia minora, or labia majora.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Codification Section was enacted as part of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996, and also as part of the Omnibus Consolidated Appropriations Act, 1997, and not as part of the Immigration and Nationality Act which comprises this chapter.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Abolition of Immigration and Naturalization Service and

Transfer of Functions

For abolition of Immigration and Naturalization Service,

Transfer of Functions

, and treatment of related references, see note set out under section 1551 of this title.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

8 U.S.C. § 1374

Title 8 — Aliens and Nationality

Last Updated

Apr 3, 2026

Release point: 119-73not60