Skip to Main Content

SELECTED SENTENCING STATUTES

2024
OMNIBUS CONSOLIDATED APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 1997 OR ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION REFORM AND IMMIGRANT RESPONSIBILITY ACT OF 1996 (PUB. L. 104-208)

Alien Smuggling. Pub.L. 104–208, Div. C, Title II, § 203(e), Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–566, provided:

“(e) Sentencing Guidelines.

(1) In general.Pursuant to its authority under section 994(p) of title 28, United States Code, the United States Sentencing Commission shall promulgate sentencing guidelines or amend existing sentencing guidelines for offenders convicted of offenses related to smuggling, transporting, harboring, or inducing aliens in violation of section 274(a)(1)(A) or (2) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1324(a)(1)(A), (2)(B)) in accordance with this subsection.

(2) Requirements.In carrying out this subsection, the Commission shall, with respect to the offenses described in paragraph (1)—

(A) increase the base offense level for such offenses at least 3 offense levels above the applicable level in effect on the date of the enactment of this Act;

(B) review the sentencing enhancement for the number of aliens involved (U.S.S.G. 2L1.1(b)(2)), and increase the sentencing enhancement by at least 50 percent above the applicable enhancement in effect on the date of the enactment of this Act;

(C) impose an appropriate sentencing enhancement upon an offender with 1 prior felony conviction arising out of a separate and prior prosecution for an offense that involved the same or similar underlying conduct as the current offense, to be applied in addition to any sentencing enhancement that would otherwise apply pursuant to the calculation of the defendant’s criminal history category;

(D) impose an additional appropriate sentencing enhancement upon an offender with 2 or more prior felony convictions arising out of separate and prior prosecutions for offenses that involved the same or similar underling conduct as the current offense, to be applied in addition to any sentencing enhancement that would otherwise apply pursuant to the calculation of the defendant’s criminal history category;

(E) impose an appropriate sentencing enhancement on a defendant who, in the course of committing an offense described in this subsection—

(i) murders or otherwise causes death, bodily injury, or serious bodily injury to an individual;

(ii) uses or brandishes a firearm or other dangerous weapon; or

(iii) engages in conduct that consciously or recklessly places another in serious danger of death or serious bodily injury;

(F) consider whether a downward adjustment is appropriate if the offense is a first offense and involves the smuggling only of the alien’s spouse or child; and

(G) consider whether any other aggravating or mitigating circumstances warrant upward or downward sentencing adjustments.

(3) Emergency Authority to Sentencing Commission.The Commission shall promulgate the guidelines or amendments provided for under this subsection as soon as practicable in accordance with the procedure set forth in section 21(a) of the Sentencing Act of 1987, as though the authority under that Act had not expired.”

Fraud in Connection with Identification, Naturalization, and Immigration Documents. Pub.L. 104–208, Div. C, Title II, § 211(b), Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–569, provided:

“(b) Changes to the Sentencing Levels.

(1) In general.Pursuant to the Commission’s authority under section 994(p) of title 28, United States Code, the United States Sentencing Commission shall promulgate sentencing guidelines or amend existing sentencing guidelines for offenders convicted of violating, or conspiring to violate, sections 1028(b)(1), 1425 through 1427, 1541 through 1544, and 1546(a) of title 18, United States Code, in accordance with this subsection.

(2) Requirements.In carrying out this subsection, the Commission shall, with respect to the offenses referred to in paragraph (1)—

(A) increase the base offense level for such offenses at least 2 offense levels above the level in effect on the date of the enactment of this Act;

(B) review the sentencing enhancement for number of documents or passports involved (U.S.S.G. 2L2.1(b)(2)), and increase the upward adjustment by at least 50 percent above the applicable enhancement in effect on the date of the enactment of this Act;

(C) impose an appropriate sentencing enhancement upon an offender with 1 prior felony conviction arising out of a separate and prior prosecution for an offense that involved the same or similar underlying conduct as the current offense, to be applied in addition to any sentencing enhancement that would otherwise apply pursuant to the calculation of the defendant’s criminal history category;

(D) impose an additional appropriate sentencing enhancement upon an offender with 2 or more prior felony convictions arising out of separate and prior prosecutions for offenses that involved the same or similar underlying conduct as the current offense, to be applied in addition to any sentencing enhancement that would otherwise apply pursuant to the calculation of the defendant’s criminal history category; and

(E) consider whether any other aggravating or mitigating circumstances warrant upward or downward sentencing adjustments.

(3) Emergency Authority to Sentencing Commission.The Commission shall promulgate the guidelines or amendments provided for under this subsection as soon as practicable in accordance with the procedure set forth in section 21(a) of the Sentencing Act of 1987, as though the authority under that Act had not expired.”

Peonage, Involuntary Servitude, and Slave Trade Offenses. Pub.L. 104–208, Div. C, Title II, § 218(b), (c), Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–573, provided:

“(b) Review of Sentencing Guidelines.The United States Sentencing Commission shall ascertain whether there exists an unwarranted disparity—

(1) between the sentences for peonage, involuntary servitude, and slave trade offenses, and the sentences for kidnapping offenses in effect on the date of the enactment of this Act; and

(2) between the sentences for peonage, involuntary servitude, and slave trade offenses, and the sentences for alien smuggling offenses in effect on the date of the enactment of this Act and after the amendment made by subsection (a).

(c) Amendment of Sentencing Guidelines.

(1) In general.Pursuant to its authority under section 994(p) of title 28, United States Code, the United States Sentencing Commission shall review its guidelines on sentencing for peonage, involuntary servitude, and slave trade offenses under sections 1581 through 1588 of title 18, United States Code, and shall amend such guidelines as necessary to—

(A) reduce or eliminate any unwarranted disparity found under subsection (b) that exists between the sentences for peonage, involuntary servitude, and slave trade offenses, and the sentences for kidnapping offenses and alien smuggling offenses;

(B) ensure that the applicable guidelines for defendants convicted of peonage, involuntary servitude, and slave trade offenses are sufficiently stringent to deter such offenses and adequately reflect the heinous nature of such offenses; and

(C) ensure that the guidelines reflect the general appropriateness of enhanced sentences for defendants whose peonage, involuntary servitude, or slave trade offenses involve—

(i) a large number of victims;

(ii) the use or threatened use of a dangerous weapon; or

(iii) a prolonged period of peonage or involuntary servitude.

(2) Emergency Authority to Sentencing Commission.The Commission shall promulgate the guidelines or amendments provided for under this subsection as soon as practicable in accordance with the procedure set forth in section 21(a) of the Sentencing Act of 1987, as though the authority under that Act had not expired.”

Conspiring with or Assisting an Alien to Commit an Offense Under the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act. Pub.L. 104–208, Div. C, Title III, § 333, Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–634, provided:

“Sec. 333. Penalties for Conspiring with or Assisting an Alien to Commit an Offense Under the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act.

(a) Review of Guidelines.Not later than 6 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the United States Sentencing Commission shall conduct a review of the guidelines applicable to an offender who conspires with, or aids or abets, a person who is not a citizen or national of the United States in committing any offense under section 1010 of the Controlled Substance Import and Export Act (21 U.S.C. 960).

(b) Revision of Guidelines.Following such review, pursuant to section 994(p) of title 28, United States Code, the Commission shall promulgate sentencing guidelines or amend existing sentencing guidelines to ensure an appropriately stringent sentence for such offenders.”

Failure to Depart, Illegal Reentry, and Passport and Visa Fraud. Pub. L. 104–208, Div. C, Title III, § 334, Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–635, provided:

“Sec. 334. Enhanced Penalties for Failure to Depart, Illegal Reentry, and Passport and Visa Fraud.

(a) Failing to Depart.The United States Sentencing Commission shall promptly promulgate, pursuant to section 994 of title 28, United States Code, amendments to the sentencing guidelines to make appropriate increases in the base offense level for offenses under section 242(e) and 276(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1252(e) and 1326(b)) to reflect the amendments made by section 130001 of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994.

(b) Passport and Visa Offenses.The United States Sentencing Commission shall promptly promulgate, pursuant to section 994 of title 28, United States Code, amendments to the sentencing guidelines to make appropriate increases in the base offense level for offenses under chapter 75 of title 18, United States Code, to reflect the amendments made by section 130009 of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994.”

*   *   *