18 U.S.C. § 2442 Recruitment Or Use of Child Soldiers

• Library: United States Statutes
• Edition: 2023 Edition
• Currency: Current through P.L. 118-19 (published on www.congress.gov on 10/06/2023)

(a) OFFENSE.-Whoever knowingly-

(1) recruits, enlists, or conscripts a person to serve while such person is under 15 years of age in an armed force or group; or

(2) uses a person under 15 years of age to participate actively in hostilities;

knowing such person is under 15 years of age, shall be punished as provided in subsection (b).

(b) PENALTY.-Whoever violates, or attempts or conspires to violate, subsection (a) shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 20 years, or both and, if death of any person results, shall be fined under this title and imprisoned for any term of years or for life.

(c) JURISDICTION.-There is jurisdiction over an offense described in subsection (a), and any attempt or conspiracy to commit such offense, if-

(1) the alleged offender is a national of the United States (as defined in section 101(a)(22) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(22) )) or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States (as defined in section 101(a)(20) of such Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(20) ); ¹