Licenses and certificates of registry for individuals on documented vessels may be issued only to citizens or noncitizen nationals (as such term is described in section 308 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1408)) of the United States.
(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 540; Pub. L. 119–60, div. G, title LXXIII, § 7301(b)(1), Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 1751.)
Historical and Revision Notes
Revised sectionSource section (U.S. Code)
710246:24246:1132(a)
Section 7102 requires that any individual issued a license or certificate of registry allowing the individual to be engaged on a documented vessel must be a U.S. citizen.
Editorial Notes
Amendments2025—Pub. L. 119–60 inserted “or noncitizen nationality” after “Citizenship” in section catchline and “or noncitizen nationals (as such term is described in section 308 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1408))” after “citizens” in text.
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