§1542. False statement in application and use of passport

Whoever willfully and knowingly makes any false statement in an application for passport with intent to induce or secure the issuance of a passport under the authority of the United States, either for his own use or the use of another, contrary to the laws regulating the issuance of passports or the rules prescribed pursuant to such laws; or

Whoever willfully and knowingly uses or attempts to use, or furnishes to another for use any passport the issue of which was secured in any way by reason of any false statement-

Shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 10 years, or both.

(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 771 ; Sept. 13, 1994, Pub. L. 103–322, title XIII, §130009(a)(2), title XXXIII, §330016(1)(I), 108 Stat. 2030 , 2147.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Based on section 220 of title 22, U.S.C., 1940 ed., Foreign Relations and Intercourse (June 15, 1917, ch. 30, title IX, §2, 40 Stat. 227 ; Mar. 28, 1940, ch. 72, §7, 54 Stat. 80 ).

Mandatory-punishment provision was rephrased in the alternative.

Punishment of five years' imprisonment was substituted for "ten years" to conform with other sections embracing offenses of comparable gravity.

Minor changes were made in phraseology.

Amendments

1994-Pub. L. 103–322, §330016(1)(I), which directed the amendment of this section by substituting "under this title" for "not more than $2,000", could not be executed because the words "not more than $2,000" did not appear in text subsequent to amendment by Pub. L. 103–322, §130009(a)(2). See below.

Pub. L. 103–322, §130009(a)(2), substituted "under this title, imprisoned not more than 10 years" for "not more than $2,000 or imprisoned not more than five years" in last par.

Canal Zone

Applicability of section to Canal Zone, see section 14 of this title.

Cross References

False statements, generally, see section 1001 of this title.

Jurisdiction of offenses, see section 3241 of this title.

Letters, writings, etc., in violation of this section as nonmailable, see section 1717 of this title.

Limitations, period of, see section 3291 of this title.

Section Referred to in Other Sections

This section is referred to in sections 14, 1717, 3291 of this title.