US Code

Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

38 U.S.C. § 5308

Withholding benefits of persons in territory of the enemy

(a)
When any alien entitled to gratuitous benefits under laws administered by the Secretary is located in territory of, or under military control of, an enemy of the United States or of any of its allies, any award of such benefits in favor of such alien shall be terminated forthwith.
(b)
section 5309 of this title Any alien whose award is terminated under subsection (a) shall not thereafter be entitled to any such gratuitous benefits except upon the filing of a new claim, accompanied by evidence satisfactory to the Secretary showing that such alien was not guilty of mutiny, treason, sabotage, or rendering assistance to such enemy. Except as provided in , such gratuitous benefits shall not be paid for any period before the date the new claim is filed.
(c)
While such alien is located in territory of, or under military control of, an enemy of the United States or of any of its allies, the Secretary, in the Secretary’s discretion, may apportion and pay any part of such benefits to the dependents of such alien. No dependent of such alien shall receive benefits by reason of this subsection in excess of the amount to which the dependent would be entitled if such alien were dead.

Pub. L. 85–85772 Stat. 1231Pub. L. 99–576, title VII, § 701(74)100 Stat. 3297Pub. L. 102–40, title IV, § 402(b)(1)105 Stat. 238Pub. L. 102–83, § 4(a)(1)105 Stat. 403–405(, , , § 3108; , , ; renumbered § 5308 and amended , (d)(1), , , 239; , (b)(1), (2)(E), , .)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Pub. L. 102–40, § 402(b)(1)section 3108 of this title1991—, renumbered as this section.

Pub. L. 102–83, § 4(a)(1)Subsec. (a). , substituted “administered by the Secretary” for “administered by the Veterans’ Administration”.

Pub. L. 102–83, § 4(b)(1)Subsec. (b). , (2)(E), substituted “Secretary” for “Administrator”.

Pub. L. 102–40, § 402(d)(1), substituted “5309” for “3109”.

Pub. L. 102–83, § 4(b)(1)Subsec. (c). , (2)(E), substituted “Secretary” for “Administrator” and “Secretary’s” for “Administrator’s”.

Pub. L. 99–5761986—Subsec. (c). substituted “the Administrator’s” for “his” in first sentence, and “the dependent” for “he” in second sentence.