U.S. Code » Title 8 » Chapter CHAPTER 12— IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER II— IMMIGRATION › Part Part IX— Miscellaneous

8 U.S.C. § 1357

Powers of immigration officers and employees

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(a) Powers without warrantAny officer or employee of the Service authorized under regulations prescribed by the Attorney General shall have power without warrant—(1) to interrogate any alien or person believed to be an alien as to his right to be or to remain in the United States;(2) to arrest any alien who in his presence or view is entering or attempting to enter the United States in violation of any law or regulation made in pursuance of law regulating the admission, exclusion, expulsion, or removal of aliens, or to arrest any alien in the United States, if he has reason to believe that the alien so arrested is in the United States in violation of any such law or regulation and is likely to escape before a warrant can be obtained for his arrest, but the alien arrested shall be taken without unnecessary delay for examination before an officer of the Service having authority to examine aliens as to their right to enter or remain in the United States;(3) within a reasonable distance from any external boundary of the United States, to board and search for aliens any vessel within the territorial waters of the United States and any railway car, aircraft, conveyance, or vehicle, and within a distance of twenty-five miles from any such external boundary to have access to private lands, but not dwellings, for the purpose of patrolling the border to prevent the illegal entry of aliens into the United States;(4) to make arrests for felonies which have been committed and which are cognizable under any law of the United States regulating the admission, exclusion, expulsion, or removal of aliens, if he has reason to believe that the person so arrested is guilty of such felony and if there is likelihood of the person escaping before a warrant can be obtained for his arrest, but the person arrested shall be taken without unnecessary delay before the nearest available officer empowered to commit persons charged with offenses against the laws of the United States; and(5) to make arrests—(A) for any offense against the United States, if the offense is committed in the officer’s or employee’s presence, or(B) for any felony cognizable under the laws of the United States, if the officer or employee has reasonable grounds to believe that the person to be arrested has committed or is committing such a felony,if the officer or employee is performing duties relating to the enforcement of the immigration laws at the time of the arrest and if there is a likelihood of the person escaping before a warrant can be obtained for his arrest.Under regulations prescribed by the Attorney General, an officer or employee of the Service may carry a firearm and may execute and serve any order, warrant, subpoena, summons, or other process issued under the authority of the United States. The authority to make arrests under paragraph (5)(B) shall only be effective on and after the date on which the Attorney General publishes final regulations which (i) prescribe the categories of officers and employees of the Service who may use force (including deadly force) and the circumstances under which such force may be used, (ii) establish standards with respect to enforcement activities of the Service, (iii) require that any officer or employee of the Service is not authorized to make arrests under paragraph (5)(B) unless the officer or employee has received certification as having completed a training program which covers such arrests and standards described in clause (ii), and (iv) establish an expedited, internal review process for violations of such standards, which process is consistent with standard agency procedure regarding confidentiality of matters related to internal investigations.(b) Administration of oath; taking of evidence

Any officer or employee of the Service designated by the Attorney General, whether individually or as one of a class, shall have power and authority to administer oaths and to take and consider evidence concerning the privilege of any person to enter, reenter, pass through, or reside in the United States, or concerning any matter which is material or relevant to the enforcement of this chapter and the administration of the Service; and any person to whom such oath has been administered, (or who has executed an unsworn declaration, certificate, verification, or statement under penalty of perjury as permitted under section 1746 of title 28) under the provisions of this chapter, who shall knowingly or willfully give false evidence or swear (or subscribe under penalty of perjury as permitted under section 1746 of title 28) to any false statement concerning any matter referred to in this subsection shall be guilty of perjury and shall be punished as provided by section 1621 of title 18.

(c) Search without warrant

Any officer or employee of the Service authorized and designated under regulations prescribed by the Attorney General, whether individually or as one of a class, shall have power to conduct a search, without warrant, of the person, and of the personal effects in the possession of any person seeking admission to the United States, concerning whom such officer or employee may have reasonable cause to suspect that grounds exist for denial of admission to the United States under this chapter which would be disclosed by such search.

(d) Detainer of aliens for violation of controlled substances lawsIn the case of an alien who is arrested by a Federal, State, or local law enforcement official for a violation of any law relating to controlled substances, if the official (or another official)—(1) has reason to believe that the alien may not have been lawfully admitted to the United States or otherwise is not lawfully present in the United States,(2) expeditiously informs an appropriate officer or employee of the Service authorized and designated by the Attorney General of the arrest and of facts concerning the status of the alien, and(3) requests the Service to determine promptly whether or not to issue a detainer to detain the alien,the officer or employee of the Service shall promptly determine whether or not to issue such a detainer. If such a detainer is issued and the alien is not otherwise detained by Federal, State, or local officials, the Attorney General shall effectively and expeditiously take custody of the alien.(e) Restriction on warrantless entry in case of outdoor agricultural operations

Notwithstanding any other provision of this section other than paragraph (3) of subsection (a), an officer or employee of the Service may not enter without the consent of the owner (or agent thereof) or a properly executed warrant onto the premises of a farm or other outdoor agricultural operation for the purpose of interrogating a person believed to be an alien as to the person’s right to be or to remain in the United States.

(f) Fingerprinting and photographing of certain aliens(1) Under regulations of the Attorney General, the Commissioner shall provide for the fingerprinting and photographing of each alien 14 years of age or older against whom a proceeding is commenced under section 1229a of this title.(2) Such fingerprints and photographs shall be made available to Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies, upon request.(g) Performance of immigration officer functions by State officers and employees(1) Notwithstanding section 1342 of title 31, the Attorney General may enter into a written agreement with a State, or any political subdivision of a State, pursuant to which an officer or employee of the State or subdivision, who is determined by the Attorney General to be qualified to perform a function of an immigration officer in relation to the investigation, apprehension, or detention of aliens in the United States (including the transportation of such aliens across State lines to detention centers), may carry out such function at the expense of the State or political subdivision and to the extent consistent with State and local law.(2) An agreement under this subsection shall require that an officer or employee of a State or political subdivision of a State performing a function under the agreement shall have knowledge of, and adhere to, Federal law relating to the function, and shall contain a written certification that the officers or employees performing the function under the agreement have received adequate training regarding the enforcement of relevant Federal immigration laws.(3) In performing a function under this subsection, an officer or employee of a State or political subdivision of a State shall be subject to the direction and supervision of the Attorney General.(4) In performing a function under this subsection, an officer or employee of a State or political subdivision of a State may use Federal property or facilities, as provided in a written agreement between the Attorney General and the State or subdivision.(5) With respect to each officer or employee of a State or political subdivision who is authorized to perform a function under this subsection, the specific powers and duties that may be, or are required to be, exercised or performed by the individual, the duration of the authority of the individual, and the position of the agency of the Attorney General who is required to supervise and direct the individual, shall be set forth in a written agreement between the Attorney General and the State or political subdivision.(6) The Attorney General may not accept a service under this subsection if the service will be used to displace any Federal employee.(7) Except as provided in paragraph (8), an officer or employee of a State or political subdivision of a State performing functions under this subsection shall not be treated as a Federal employee for any purpose other than for purposes of chapter 81 of title 5 (relating to compensation for injury) and sections 2671 through 2680 of title 28 (relating to tort claims).(8) An officer or employee of a State or political subdivision of a State acting under color of authority under this subsection, or any agreement entered into under this subsection, shall be considered to be acting under color of Federal authority for purposes of determining the liability, and immunity from suit, of the officer or employee in a civil action brought under Federal or State law.(9) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to require any State or political subdivision of a State to enter into an agreement with the Attorney General under this subsection.(10) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to require an agreement under this subsection in order for any officer or employee of a State or political subdivision of a State—(A) to communicate with the Attorney General regarding the immigration status of any individual, including reporting knowledge that a particular alien is not lawfully present in the United States; or(B) otherwise to cooperate with the Attorney General in the identification, apprehension, detention, or removal of aliens not lawfully present in the United States.(h) Protecting abused juveniles

An alien described in section 1101(a)(27)(J) of this title who has been battered, abused, neglected, or abandoned, shall not be compelled to contact the alleged abuser (or family member of the alleged abuser) at any stage of applying for special immigrant juvenile status, including after a request for the consent of the Secretary of Homeland Security under section 1101(a)(27)(J)(iii)(I) of this title.

(June 27, 1952, ch. 477, title II, ch. 9, § 287, 66 Stat. 233; Pub. L. 94–550, § 7, Oct. 18, 1976, 90 Stat. 2535; Pub. L. 99–570, title I, § 1751(d), Oct. 27, 1986, 100 Stat. 3207–47; Pub. L. 99–603, title I, § 116, Nov. 6, 1986, 100 Stat. 3384; Pub. L. 100–525, §§ 2(e), 5, Oct. 24, 1988, 102 Stat. 2610, 2615; Pub. L. 101–649, title V, § 503(a), (b)(1), Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 5048, 5049; Pub. L. 102–232, title III, § 306(a)(3), Dec. 12, 1991, 105 Stat. 1751; Pub. L. 104–208, div. C, title I, § 133, title III, § 308(d)(4)(L), (e)(1)(M), (g)(5)(A)(i), Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–563, 3009–618, 3009–619, 3009–623; Pub. L. 109–162, title VIII, § 826, Jan. 5, 2006, 119 Stat. 3065; Pub. L. 109–271, § 6(g), Aug. 12, 2006, 120 Stat. 763.)Editorial NotesReferences in Text

This chapter, referred to in subsecs. (b) and (c), 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

2006—Subsecs. (h), (i). Pub. L. 109–271 redesignated subsec. (i) as (h).

Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 109–162, which directed the amendment of this section “as amended by section 726” by adding cl. (i) at end, was executed by adding subsec. (i) at end to reflect the probable intent of Congress. Pub. L. 109–162 does not contain a section 726.

1996—Subsec. (a)(2), (4). Pub. L. 104–208, § 308(d)(4)(L)(i), substituted “expulsion, or removal” for “or expulsion”.

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 104–208, § 308(d)(4)(L)(ii), substituted “denial of admission to” for “exclusion from”.

Subsec. (f)(1). Pub. L. 104–208, § 308(g)(5)(A)(i), substituted “section 1229a” for “section 1252”.

Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 104–208, § 308(e)(1)(M), which directed amendment of subsec. (g) by substituting “removal” for “deportation” wherever appearing, could not be executed because the word “deportation” did not appear in subsec. (g).

Pub. L. 104–208, § 133, added subsec. (g).

1991—Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 102–232 substituted a semicolon for comma at end.

1990—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 101–649, § 503(a), struck out “and” at end of par. (3), substituted “United States, and” for “United States. Any such employee shall also have the power to execute any warrant or other process issued by any officer under any law regulating the admission, exclusion, or expulsion of aliens.” at end of par. (4), and added par. (5) and concluding provisions.

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 101–649, § 503(b)(1), added subsec. (f).

1988—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 100–525, § 5, added par. (3) and closing provisions and struck out former par. (3) which read as follows: “requests the Service to determine promptly whether or not to issue a detainer to detain the alien, the officer or employee of the Service shall promptly determine whether or not to issue such a detainer. If such a detainer is issued and the alien is not otherwise detained by Federal, State, or local officials, the Attorney General shall effectively and expeditiously take custody of the alien.”

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 100–525, § 2(e)(2), made technical amendment to directory language of Pub. L. 99–603, § 116, and redesignated the subsec. (d) added by such § 116, as (e). See 1986 Amendment note below.

1986—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 99–570 added subsec. (d).

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 99–603, as amended by Pub. L. 100–525, § 2(e), added subsec. (e), which prior to amendment by Pub. L. 100–525, was designated as a second subsec. (d) of this section.

1976—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 94–550 inserted “(or who has executed an unsworn declaration, certificate, verification, or statement under penalty of perjury as permitted under section 1746 of title 28)” after “to whom such oath has been administered” and “(or subscribe under penalty of perjury as permitted under section 1746 of title 28)” after “give false evidence or swear”.

Statutory Notes and Related SubsidiariesEffective Date of 1996 Amendment

Amendment by section 308(d)(4)(L), (e)(1)(M), (g)(5)(A)(i) of 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 Amendment

Amendment 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 1988 Amendment

Amendment by section 2(e) of Pub. L. 100–525 effective as if included in enactment of Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, Pub. L. 99–603, see section 2(s) of Pub. L. 100–525, set out as a note under section 1101 of this title.

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.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 610 cases (99 in the last 5 years), 1953–2026 · leading case: United States v. Arizona
Sort: Relevance Newest Treatment
United States v. Arizona (2011) ca9 · cites it 76× “In this section of the INA, titled "Performance of immigration officer functions by State officers and employees," Congress has instructed under what conditions state officials are permitted to assist the Executive in the enforcement of immigration laws.”
Arizona v. United States (2012) scotus · cites it 18× “See 8 U. S. C. §1357 (a). They may arrest an alien for being “in the United States in violation of any [immigration] law or regula- tion,” for example, but only where the alien “is likely to escape before a warrant can be obtained.”
United States v. Nuradin M. Abdi (2006) ca6 · cites it 26× “The court, nevertheless, held that the statements and derivative evidence should be suppressed because the objective facts known to the officers, taken together, did not support the Government’s claim that Abdi was an escape risk, and that the arrest therefore violated 8 U.S.C.…”
Moher v. United States (2012) miwd · cites it 39× “This case arises out of the entry of two United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) patrol officers employed by the United States Department of Homeland Security onto Moher’s land on Sugar Island to patrol for illegal immigration activity pursuant to 8 U.S.C. § 1357…”
Abriq v. Hall (2018) tnmd · cites it 8× “" 8 U.S.C. § 1357 (g)(1). Plaintiff avers that Metro entered into a § 287 agreement with ICE, under which Metro assumed physical custody of immigration detainees while ICE had legal custody.”
Almeida-Sanchez v. United States (1973) scotus · cites it 16× “233 , 8 U. S. C. § 1357 (a) (3), which simply provides for warrantless searches of automobiles and other conveyances "within a reasonable distance from any external boundary of the United States," as authorized by regulations to be promulgated by the Attorney General.”
Chavez v. Carmichael (2018) ncctapp · cites it 30× “287(g) Agreement and ICE Detainer Requests The Sheriff and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”), an agency under the jurisdiction and authority of the United States Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”), entered into a written agreement (the “287(g) Agreement”) on 28…”
United States v. Peltier (1975) scotus · cites it 16× “233 , 8 U. S. C. § 1357 (a) (3), and administrative regulation, 8 CFR § 287.”
Ignacio Lanuza v. Jonathan Love (2018) ca9 · cites it 6× “LOVE 3 submitted a forged document in an immigration proceeding in clear violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1357 (b). COUNSEL Matt Adams (argued) and Glenda M.”
City of El Cenizo v. Texas (2017) txwd · cites it 31× “Plaintiffs argue that SB 4 is in conflict with 8 U.S.C. §§ 1357 , 1373, and 1644. *761 The provisions of SB 4 codified at Tex.”
Davila v. United States (2017) pawd · cites it 27× “This, according to Davila, was because the Court failed to consider the limitations on Tetrault’s authority to conduct a warrantless arrest, certain of which are set forth in another provision of federal law: 8 U.S.C. § 1357 (a)(2). See ECF No. 16 at 1-2; ECF No.”
United States v. Orozco (1999) ca5 · cites it 18× “For instance, Bollier had personally captured approximately 20 loads of aliens in the same area over the previous five month 3 The dissent urges that we are foreclosed from applying the Brignoni-Ponce factors in the instant case because the stop occurred beyond the 100-mile…”
Show all 610 citing cases →
— 8 U.S.C. § 1357(a) — 4 cases
Yam Sang Kwai v. Immigration & Naturalization Service (1969) cadc
United States v. Jose Rodriguez-Hernandez (1974) ca5
Hedda Helene Schoeler v. Immigration and Naturalization Service (1962) ca2
United States v. Jose Luis Quiroz-Reyna (1974) ca9
— 8 U.S.C. § 1357(a)(1) — 1 case
Parwinder Kaur v. Kevin Raycraft, Acting Director of Detroit Field Office, United States Immigration and Customs Enforce (2026) ohnd
— 8 U.S.C. § 1357(a)(2) — 4 cases
Margarito Castanon Nava v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security (2025) ca7
Escobar Molina v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security (2026) dcd
Douglas Ricardo Sura Cruz v. Kristi Noem, Secretary, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, et al. (2025) ilnd
Ernesto Gerardo Zepeda Ramirez v. Adam Smith, et al.; Noel Isai Samayoa v. Adam Smith, et al. (2026) kywd
— 8 U.S.C. § 1357(a)(4) — 1 case
Jesse Drewniak v. P U.S. Customs and Border Protection et al. (2021) nhd
— 8 U.S.C. § 1357(b) — 1 case
Application of Barnes (1953) nynd
— 8 U.S.C. § 1357(g) — 1 case
Georgia Latino Alliance for Human Rights v. Deal (2011) gand
— 8 U.S.C. § 1357(g)(3) — 1 case
Friends of the Everglades, Inc. v. Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (2026) ca11
Annotations are extracted automatically from the opinions in the Syfert caselaw corpus and ranked by authority, recency, and treatment. Dots show Syfertize treatment of the citing case itself.