As used in this chapter—
the term “international terrorism” means activities that—
involve violent acts or acts dangerous to human life that are a violation of the criminal laws of the United States or of any State, or that would be a criminal violation if committed within the jurisdiction of the United States or of any State;
appear to be intended—
to intimidate or coerce a civilian population;
to influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion; or
to affect the conduct of a government by mass destruction, assassination, or kidnapping; and
occur primarily outside the territorial jurisdiction of the United States, or transcend national boundaries in terms of the means by which they are accomplished, the persons they appear intended to intimidate or coerce, or the locale in which their perpetrators operate or seek asylum;
the term “national of the United States” has the meaning given such term in section 101(a)(22) of the Immigration and Nationality Act;
the term “person” means any individual or entity capable of holding a legal or beneficial interest in property;
the term “act of war” means any act occurring in the course of—
declared war;
armed conflict, whether or not war has been declared, between two or more nations; or
armed conflict between military forces of any origin;
the term “domestic terrorism” means activities that—
involve acts dangerous to human life that are a violation of the criminal laws of the United States or of any State;
appear to be intended—
to intimidate or coerce a civilian population;
to influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion; or
to affect the conduct of a government by mass destruction, assassination, or kidnapping; and
occur primarily within the territorial jurisdiction of the United States; and
the term “military force” does not include any person that—
has been designated as a—
8 U.S.C. 1189 foreign terrorist organization by the Secretary of State under section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (); or
specially designated global terrorist (as such term is defined in section 594.310 of title 31, Code of Federal Regulations) by the Secretary of State or the Secretary of the Treasury; or
has been determined by the court to not be a “military force”.
Pub. L. 102–572, title X, § 1003(a)(3)106 Stat. 4521Pub. L. 107–56, title VIII, § 802(a)115 Stat. 376Pub. L. 115–253, § 2(a)132 Stat. 3183(Added , , ; amended , , ; , , .)
Editorial Notes
References in Text
section 1101(a)(22) of Title 8Section 101(a)(22) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, referred to in par. (2), is classified to , Aliens and Nationality.
Prior Provisions
A prior section 2331 was renumbered 2332 of this title.
Amendments
Pub. L. 115–2532018—Par. (6). added par. (6).
Pub. L. 107–56, § 802(a)(1)2001—Par. (1)(B)(iii). , substituted “by mass destruction, assassination, or kidnapping” for “by assassination or kidnapping”.
Pub. L. 107–56, § 802(a)(2)Par. (5). –(4), added par. (5).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2018 Amendment
Pub. L. 115–253, § 2(b)132 Stat. 3183
“The amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to any civil action pending on or commenced after the date of the enactment of this Act [].”
, , , provided that:
Effective Date
Pub. L. 102–572, title X, § 1003(c)106 Stat. 4524
section 2331 of this titlesection 2331 of this title“This section [enacting this section and sections 2333 to 2338 of this title, amending former , and renumbering former as 2332] and the amendments made by this section shall apply to any pending case or any cause of action arising on or after 4 years before the date of enactment of this Act [].”
, , , provided that:
Short Title of 2004 Amendment
Pub. L. 108–458, title VI, § 6601118 Stat. 3761
Pub. L. 108–458section 2339D of this titlesection 2332b of this title“This subtitle [subtitle G (§§ 6601–6604) of title VI of , enacting , amending sections 2332b and 2339A to 2339C of this title, and enacting provisions set out as a note under ] may be cited as the ‘Material Support to Terrorism Prohibition Enhancement Act of 2004’.”
, , , provided that:
Short Title of 2002 Amendment
Pub. L. 107–197, title I, § 101116 Stat. 721
section 2332f of this titlesection 2332f of this title“This title [enacting and provisions set out as notes under ] may be cited as the ‘Terrorist Bombings Convention Implementation Act of 2002’.”
, , , provided that:
Pub. L. 107–197, title II, § 201116 Stat. 724
section 2339C of this titlesection 2339C of this title“This title [enacting and provisions set out as notes under ] may be cited as the ‘Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism Convention Implementation Act of 2002’.”
, , , provided that: