Us Code § 3508 - Admission of essential aliens; limitation on number

Full text of Us Code United States Code § 3508 — Admission of essential aliens; limitation on number, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 3508. Admission of essential aliens; limitation on number

Whenever the Director, the Attorney General, and the Commissioner of Immigration and Naturalization shall determine that the admission of a particular alien into the United States for permanent residence is in the interest of national security or essential to the furtherance of the national intelligence mission, such alien and his immediate family shall be admitted to the United States for permanent residence without regard to their inadmissibility under the immigration or any other laws and regulations, or to the failure to comply with such laws and regulations pertaining to admissibility: Provided, That the number of aliens and members of their immediate families admitted to the United States under the authority of this section shall in no case exceed one hundred persons in any one fiscal year.

(June 20, 1949, ch. 227, §7, formerly §8, 63 Stat. 212; renumbered §7, Pub. L. 85–507, §21(b)(2), July 7, 1958, 72 Stat. 337; Pub. L. 104–208, div. C, title III, §308(f)(6), Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–622.)


Editorial Notes

Codification

Section was formerly classified to section 403h of this title prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section.

Prior Provisions

A prior section 7 of act June 20, 1949, was renumbered section 6 and is classified to section 3507 of this title.

Amendments

1996—Pub. L. 104–208 substituted "that the admission" for "that the entry", "shall be admitted to" for "shall be given entry into", and "families admitted to" for "families entering".


Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1996 Amendment

Amendment 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 Title 8, Aliens and Nationality.

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 Title 8, Aliens and Nationality.


Executive Documents

Change of Name

Ex. Ord. No. 6166, §14, June 10, 1933, set out as a note under section 901 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees, consolidated Bureaus of Immigration and Naturalization of Department of Labor to form an Immigration and Naturalization Service in Department of Labor, to be administered by a Commissioner of Immigration and Naturalization, which was then transferred from Department of Labor to Department of Justice by Reorg. Plan No. V of 1940, eff. June 14, 1940, 5 F.R. 2223, 54 Stat. 1238, set out in the Appendix to Title 5. Accordingly, "Commissioner of Immigration and Naturalization" was substituted for "Commissioner of Immigration".

Transfer of Functions

Functions of all other officers of Department of Justice and functions of all agencies and employees of such Department, with a few exceptions, were transferred to Attorney General, with power vested in the Attorney General to authorize their performance or performance of any of the Attorney General's functions by any of such officers, agencies, and employees, by Reorg. Plan No. 2 of 1950, §§1, 2, eff. May 24, 1950, 15 F.R. 3173, 64 Stat. 1261, formerly set out in the Appendix to Title 5, Government Organization and Employees, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 89–554, §8(a), Sept. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 662. See sections 509 and 510 of Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure.

About This Section

50 U.S.C. § 3508 is part of Title 50 of the United States Code. The United States Code is the official codification of federal statutes maintained by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress amends the Code through new public laws, which are eventually incorporated into the relevant title.

This section may be cited in legal writing as 50 U.S.C. § 3508. For the most current official text, including any recent amendments, use the official source links below. Do not rely on this page as the sole authority for legal citation or litigation.

How to Read This Statute

Statutes are organized by title, chapter, section, and subsection. Pay attention to words like "shall," "may," "and," and "or," because they determine whether a requirement is mandatory or permissive and whether multiple conditions must all be met. Historical notes and amendments often appear at the end of a section.

Using This Page

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Sources

Source: official Us Code text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Us Code § 3508

What does United States Code § 3508 cover?

Section 3508 ("Admission of essential aliens; limitation on number") is part of the United States Code, the codified statutory law of Us Code. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Us Code § 3508?

A common citation format is "United States Code § 3508" (Us Code). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Us Code law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Us Code official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Us Code attorney.

How does Us Code § 3508 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Us Code can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Us Code.