INA §237(a)(4) Security, Terrorism, Foreign Policy, Atrocity, and Religious Freedom Grounds

Material Support Intent and Intended Use Under Matter of S-K-

Matter of S-K- holds that benevolent intent in providing support does not itself remove qualifying assistance from the material-support provision. This page focuses on the charge, proof, incorporated definitions, relief consequences, and preservation.

Reviewed by Peter Messersmith September 18, 2026

Direct Answer

Matter of S-K- holds that benevolent intent in providing support does not itself remove qualifying assistance from the material-support provision. The intended use of the support by the recipient likewise does not create a general exception. S-K- rejects a free-ranging totality test based on an organization's goals or the regime it opposes.

Core Rule

S-K intent irrelevance doctrine core rule applies this rule: Matter of S-K- holds that benevolent intent in providing support does not itself remove qualifying assistance from the material-support provision. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify the incorporated clause. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should state the alleged conduct. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate suspicion from proof. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should test each element independently. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should cite the source evidence. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should challenge unreliable attribution. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate group status from conduct. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify any knowledge finding. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should record the activity date. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate removability from relief.

S-K intent irrelevance doctrine core rule applies this rule: The intended use of the support by the recipient likewise does not create a general exception. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should challenge unreliable attribution. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate group status from conduct. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify any knowledge finding. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should record the activity date. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate removability from relief. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should request a burden ruling. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should preserve evidence objections. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify exemption authority separately. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should state remaining protection. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should obtain reviewable findings.

S-K intent irrelevance doctrine core rule applies this rule: S-K- rejects a free-ranging totality test based on an organization's goals or the regime it opposes. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should request a burden ruling. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should preserve evidence objections. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify exemption authority separately. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should state remaining protection. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should obtain reviewable findings. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should avoid conclusory labels. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should compare charge and proof. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should document information sources. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should address contrary evidence. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should request a clause-specific ruling.

S-K intent irrelevance doctrine core rule applies this rule: The organization and conduct must be tested against the statutory terrorism definitions. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should avoid conclusory labels. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should compare charge and proof. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should document information sources. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should address contrary evidence. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should request a clause-specific ruling. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify the incorporated clause. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should state the alleged conduct. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate suspicion from proof. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should test each element independently. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should cite the source evidence.

Statutory Text

S-K intent irrelevance doctrine statutory text applies this rule: The intended use of the support by the recipient likewise does not create a general exception. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should cite the source evidence. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should challenge unreliable attribution. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate group status from conduct. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify any knowledge finding. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should record the activity date. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate removability from relief. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should request a burden ruling. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should preserve evidence objections. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify exemption authority separately. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should state remaining protection.

S-K intent irrelevance doctrine statutory text applies this rule: S-K- rejects a free-ranging totality test based on an organization's goals or the regime it opposes. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate removability from relief. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should request a burden ruling. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should preserve evidence objections. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify exemption authority separately. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should state remaining protection. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should obtain reviewable findings. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should avoid conclusory labels. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should compare charge and proof. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should document information sources. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should address contrary evidence.

S-K intent irrelevance doctrine statutory text applies this rule: The organization and conduct must be tested against the statutory terrorism definitions. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should obtain reviewable findings. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should avoid conclusory labels. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should compare charge and proof. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should document information sources. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should address contrary evidence. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should request a clause-specific ruling. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify the incorporated clause. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should state the alleged conduct. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate suspicion from proof. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should test each element independently.

S-K intent irrelevance doctrine statutory text applies this rule: Humanitarian equities should remain separate from the statutory material-support inquiry. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should request a clause-specific ruling. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify the incorporated clause. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should state the alleged conduct. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate suspicion from proof. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should test each element independently. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should cite the source evidence. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should challenge unreliable attribution. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate group status from conduct. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify any knowledge finding. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should record the activity date.

Elements

S-K intent irrelevance doctrine elements applies this rule: S-K- rejects a free-ranging totality test based on an organization's goals or the regime it opposes. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should record the activity date. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate removability from relief. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should request a burden ruling. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should preserve evidence objections. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify exemption authority separately. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should state remaining protection. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should obtain reviewable findings. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should avoid conclusory labels. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should compare charge and proof. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should document information sources.

S-K intent irrelevance doctrine elements applies this rule: The organization and conduct must be tested against the statutory terrorism definitions. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should state remaining protection. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should obtain reviewable findings. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should avoid conclusory labels. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should compare charge and proof. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should document information sources. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should address contrary evidence. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should request a clause-specific ruling. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify the incorporated clause. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should state the alleged conduct. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate suspicion from proof.

S-K intent irrelevance doctrine elements applies this rule: Humanitarian equities should remain separate from the statutory material-support inquiry. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should address contrary evidence. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should request a clause-specific ruling. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify the incorporated clause. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should state the alleged conduct. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate suspicion from proof. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should test each element independently. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should cite the source evidence. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should challenge unreliable attribution. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate group status from conduct. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify any knowledge finding.

S-K intent irrelevance doctrine elements applies this rule: Matter of S-K- holds that benevolent intent in providing support does not itself remove qualifying assistance from the material-support provision. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should test each element independently. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should cite the source evidence. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should challenge unreliable attribution. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate group status from conduct. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify any knowledge finding. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should record the activity date. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate removability from relief. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should request a burden ruling. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should preserve evidence objections. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify exemption authority separately.

Charging Theory

S-K intent irrelevance doctrine charging theory applies this rule: The organization and conduct must be tested against the statutory terrorism definitions. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify exemption authority separately. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should state remaining protection. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should obtain reviewable findings. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should avoid conclusory labels. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should compare charge and proof. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should document information sources. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should address contrary evidence. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should request a clause-specific ruling. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify the incorporated clause. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should state the alleged conduct.

S-K intent irrelevance doctrine charging theory applies this rule: Humanitarian equities should remain separate from the statutory material-support inquiry. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should document information sources. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should address contrary evidence. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should request a clause-specific ruling. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify the incorporated clause. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should state the alleged conduct. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate suspicion from proof. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should test each element independently. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should cite the source evidence. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should challenge unreliable attribution. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate group status from conduct.

S-K intent irrelevance doctrine charging theory applies this rule: Matter of S-K- holds that benevolent intent in providing support does not itself remove qualifying assistance from the material-support provision. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate suspicion from proof. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should test each element independently. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should cite the source evidence. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should challenge unreliable attribution. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate group status from conduct. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify any knowledge finding. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should record the activity date. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate removability from relief. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should request a burden ruling. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should preserve evidence objections.

S-K intent irrelevance doctrine charging theory applies this rule: The intended use of the support by the recipient likewise does not create a general exception. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify any knowledge finding. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should record the activity date. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate removability from relief. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should request a burden ruling. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should preserve evidence objections. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify exemption authority separately. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should state remaining protection. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should obtain reviewable findings. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should avoid conclusory labels. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should compare charge and proof.

Burden

S-K intent irrelevance doctrine burden applies this rule: Humanitarian equities should remain separate from the statutory material-support inquiry. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should compare charge and proof. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should document information sources. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should address contrary evidence. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should request a clause-specific ruling. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify the incorporated clause. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should state the alleged conduct. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate suspicion from proof. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should test each element independently. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should cite the source evidence. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should challenge unreliable attribution.

S-K intent irrelevance doctrine burden applies this rule: Matter of S-K- holds that benevolent intent in providing support does not itself remove qualifying assistance from the material-support provision. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should state the alleged conduct. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate suspicion from proof. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should test each element independently. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should cite the source evidence. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should challenge unreliable attribution. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate group status from conduct. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify any knowledge finding. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should record the activity date. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate removability from relief. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should request a burden ruling.

S-K intent irrelevance doctrine burden applies this rule: The intended use of the support by the recipient likewise does not create a general exception. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate group status from conduct. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify any knowledge finding. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should record the activity date. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate removability from relief. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should request a burden ruling. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should preserve evidence objections. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify exemption authority separately. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should state remaining protection. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should obtain reviewable findings. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should avoid conclusory labels.

S-K intent irrelevance doctrine burden applies this rule: S-K- rejects a free-ranging totality test based on an organization's goals or the regime it opposes. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should preserve evidence objections. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify exemption authority separately. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should state remaining protection. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should obtain reviewable findings. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should avoid conclusory labels. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should compare charge and proof. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should document information sources. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should address contrary evidence. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should request a clause-specific ruling. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify the incorporated clause.

Evidence

S-K intent irrelevance doctrine evidence applies this rule: Matter of S-K- holds that benevolent intent in providing support does not itself remove qualifying assistance from the material-support provision. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify the incorporated clause. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should state the alleged conduct. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate suspicion from proof. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should test each element independently. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should cite the source evidence. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should challenge unreliable attribution. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate group status from conduct. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify any knowledge finding. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should record the activity date. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate removability from relief.

S-K intent irrelevance doctrine evidence applies this rule: The intended use of the support by the recipient likewise does not create a general exception. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should challenge unreliable attribution. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate group status from conduct. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify any knowledge finding. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should record the activity date. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate removability from relief. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should request a burden ruling. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should preserve evidence objections. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify exemption authority separately. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should state remaining protection. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should obtain reviewable findings.

S-K intent irrelevance doctrine evidence applies this rule: S-K- rejects a free-ranging totality test based on an organization's goals or the regime it opposes. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should request a burden ruling. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should preserve evidence objections. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify exemption authority separately. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should state remaining protection. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should obtain reviewable findings. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should avoid conclusory labels. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should compare charge and proof. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should document information sources. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should address contrary evidence. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should request a clause-specific ruling.

S-K intent irrelevance doctrine evidence applies this rule: The organization and conduct must be tested against the statutory terrorism definitions. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should avoid conclusory labels. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should compare charge and proof. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should document information sources. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should address contrary evidence. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should request a clause-specific ruling. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify the incorporated clause. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should state the alleged conduct. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate suspicion from proof. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should test each element independently. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should cite the source evidence.

Respondent Position

S-K intent irrelevance doctrine respondent position applies this rule: The intended use of the support by the recipient likewise does not create a general exception. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should cite the source evidence. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should challenge unreliable attribution. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate group status from conduct. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify any knowledge finding. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should record the activity date. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate removability from relief. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should request a burden ruling. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should preserve evidence objections. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify exemption authority separately. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should state remaining protection.

S-K intent irrelevance doctrine respondent position applies this rule: S-K- rejects a free-ranging totality test based on an organization's goals or the regime it opposes. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate removability from relief. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should request a burden ruling. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should preserve evidence objections. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify exemption authority separately. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should state remaining protection. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should obtain reviewable findings. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should avoid conclusory labels. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should compare charge and proof. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should document information sources. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should address contrary evidence.

S-K intent irrelevance doctrine respondent position applies this rule: The organization and conduct must be tested against the statutory terrorism definitions. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should obtain reviewable findings. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should avoid conclusory labels. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should compare charge and proof. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should document information sources. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should address contrary evidence. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should request a clause-specific ruling. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify the incorporated clause. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should state the alleged conduct. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate suspicion from proof. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should test each element independently.

S-K intent irrelevance doctrine respondent position applies this rule: Humanitarian equities should remain separate from the statutory material-support inquiry. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should request a clause-specific ruling. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify the incorporated clause. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should state the alleged conduct. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate suspicion from proof. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should test each element independently. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should cite the source evidence. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should challenge unreliable attribution. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate group status from conduct. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify any knowledge finding. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should record the activity date.

DHS Position

S-K intent irrelevance doctrine dhs position applies this rule: S-K- rejects a free-ranging totality test based on an organization's goals or the regime it opposes. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should record the activity date. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate removability from relief. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should request a burden ruling. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should preserve evidence objections. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify exemption authority separately. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should state remaining protection. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should obtain reviewable findings. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should avoid conclusory labels. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should compare charge and proof. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should document information sources.

S-K intent irrelevance doctrine dhs position applies this rule: The organization and conduct must be tested against the statutory terrorism definitions. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should state remaining protection. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should obtain reviewable findings. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should avoid conclusory labels. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should compare charge and proof. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should document information sources. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should address contrary evidence. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should request a clause-specific ruling. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify the incorporated clause. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should state the alleged conduct. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate suspicion from proof.

S-K intent irrelevance doctrine dhs position applies this rule: Humanitarian equities should remain separate from the statutory material-support inquiry. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should address contrary evidence. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should request a clause-specific ruling. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify the incorporated clause. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should state the alleged conduct. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate suspicion from proof. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should test each element independently. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should cite the source evidence. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should challenge unreliable attribution. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate group status from conduct. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify any knowledge finding.

S-K intent irrelevance doctrine dhs position applies this rule: Matter of S-K- holds that benevolent intent in providing support does not itself remove qualifying assistance from the material-support provision. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should test each element independently. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should cite the source evidence. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should challenge unreliable attribution. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate group status from conduct. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify any knowledge finding. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should record the activity date. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate removability from relief. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should request a burden ruling. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should preserve evidence objections. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify exemption authority separately.

Judge Findings

S-K intent irrelevance doctrine judge findings applies this rule: The organization and conduct must be tested against the statutory terrorism definitions. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify exemption authority separately. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should state remaining protection. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should obtain reviewable findings. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should avoid conclusory labels. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should compare charge and proof. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should document information sources. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should address contrary evidence. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should request a clause-specific ruling. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify the incorporated clause. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should state the alleged conduct.

S-K intent irrelevance doctrine judge findings applies this rule: Humanitarian equities should remain separate from the statutory material-support inquiry. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should document information sources. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should address contrary evidence. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should request a clause-specific ruling. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify the incorporated clause. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should state the alleged conduct. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate suspicion from proof. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should test each element independently. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should cite the source evidence. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should challenge unreliable attribution. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate group status from conduct.

S-K intent irrelevance doctrine judge findings applies this rule: Matter of S-K- holds that benevolent intent in providing support does not itself remove qualifying assistance from the material-support provision. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate suspicion from proof. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should test each element independently. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should cite the source evidence. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should challenge unreliable attribution. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate group status from conduct. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify any knowledge finding. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should record the activity date. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate removability from relief. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should request a burden ruling. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should preserve evidence objections.

S-K intent irrelevance doctrine judge findings applies this rule: The intended use of the support by the recipient likewise does not create a general exception. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify any knowledge finding. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should record the activity date. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate removability from relief. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should request a burden ruling. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should preserve evidence objections. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify exemption authority separately. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should state remaining protection. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should obtain reviewable findings. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should avoid conclusory labels. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should compare charge and proof.

Conduct or Conviction

S-K intent irrelevance doctrine conduct or conviction applies this rule: Humanitarian equities should remain separate from the statutory material-support inquiry. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should compare charge and proof. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should document information sources. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should address contrary evidence. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should request a clause-specific ruling. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify the incorporated clause. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should state the alleged conduct. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate suspicion from proof. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should test each element independently. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should cite the source evidence. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should challenge unreliable attribution.

S-K intent irrelevance doctrine conduct or conviction applies this rule: Matter of S-K- holds that benevolent intent in providing support does not itself remove qualifying assistance from the material-support provision. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should state the alleged conduct. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate suspicion from proof. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should test each element independently. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should cite the source evidence. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should challenge unreliable attribution. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate group status from conduct. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify any knowledge finding. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should record the activity date. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate removability from relief. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should request a burden ruling.

S-K intent irrelevance doctrine conduct or conviction applies this rule: The intended use of the support by the recipient likewise does not create a general exception. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate group status from conduct. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify any knowledge finding. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should record the activity date. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate removability from relief. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should request a burden ruling. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should preserve evidence objections. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify exemption authority separately. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should state remaining protection. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should obtain reviewable findings. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should avoid conclusory labels.

S-K intent irrelevance doctrine conduct or conviction applies this rule: S-K- rejects a free-ranging totality test based on an organization's goals or the regime it opposes. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should preserve evidence objections. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify exemption authority separately. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should state remaining protection. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should obtain reviewable findings. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should avoid conclusory labels. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should compare charge and proof. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should document information sources. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should address contrary evidence. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should request a clause-specific ruling. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify the incorporated clause.

Actor Status

S-K intent irrelevance doctrine actor status applies this rule: Matter of S-K- holds that benevolent intent in providing support does not itself remove qualifying assistance from the material-support provision. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify the incorporated clause. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should state the alleged conduct. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate suspicion from proof. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should test each element independently. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should cite the source evidence. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should challenge unreliable attribution. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate group status from conduct. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify any knowledge finding. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should record the activity date. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate removability from relief.

S-K intent irrelevance doctrine actor status applies this rule: The intended use of the support by the recipient likewise does not create a general exception. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should challenge unreliable attribution. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate group status from conduct. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify any knowledge finding. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should record the activity date. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate removability from relief. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should request a burden ruling. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should preserve evidence objections. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify exemption authority separately. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should state remaining protection. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should obtain reviewable findings.

S-K intent irrelevance doctrine actor status applies this rule: S-K- rejects a free-ranging totality test based on an organization's goals or the regime it opposes. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should request a burden ruling. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should preserve evidence objections. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify exemption authority separately. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should state remaining protection. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should obtain reviewable findings. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should avoid conclusory labels. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should compare charge and proof. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should document information sources. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should address contrary evidence. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should request a clause-specific ruling.

S-K intent irrelevance doctrine actor status applies this rule: The organization and conduct must be tested against the statutory terrorism definitions. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should avoid conclusory labels. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should compare charge and proof. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should document information sources. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should address contrary evidence. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should request a clause-specific ruling. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify the incorporated clause. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should state the alleged conduct. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate suspicion from proof. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should test each element independently. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should cite the source evidence.

Asylum Effect

S-K intent irrelevance doctrine asylum effect applies this rule: The intended use of the support by the recipient likewise does not create a general exception. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should cite the source evidence. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should challenge unreliable attribution. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate group status from conduct. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify any knowledge finding. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should record the activity date. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate removability from relief. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should request a burden ruling. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should preserve evidence objections. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify exemption authority separately. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should state remaining protection.

S-K intent irrelevance doctrine asylum effect applies this rule: S-K- rejects a free-ranging totality test based on an organization's goals or the regime it opposes. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate removability from relief. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should request a burden ruling. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should preserve evidence objections. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify exemption authority separately. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should state remaining protection. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should obtain reviewable findings. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should avoid conclusory labels. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should compare charge and proof. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should document information sources. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should address contrary evidence.

S-K intent irrelevance doctrine asylum effect applies this rule: The organization and conduct must be tested against the statutory terrorism definitions. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should obtain reviewable findings. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should avoid conclusory labels. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should compare charge and proof. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should document information sources. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should address contrary evidence. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should request a clause-specific ruling. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify the incorporated clause. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should state the alleged conduct. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate suspicion from proof. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should test each element independently.

S-K intent irrelevance doctrine asylum effect applies this rule: Humanitarian equities should remain separate from the statutory material-support inquiry. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should request a clause-specific ruling. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify the incorporated clause. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should state the alleged conduct. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate suspicion from proof. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should test each element independently. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should cite the source evidence. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should challenge unreliable attribution. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate group status from conduct. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify any knowledge finding. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should record the activity date.

Withholding and CAT

S-K intent irrelevance doctrine withholding and cat applies this rule: S-K- rejects a free-ranging totality test based on an organization's goals or the regime it opposes. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should record the activity date. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate removability from relief. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should request a burden ruling. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should preserve evidence objections. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify exemption authority separately. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should state remaining protection. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should obtain reviewable findings. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should avoid conclusory labels. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should compare charge and proof. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should document information sources.

S-K intent irrelevance doctrine withholding and cat applies this rule: The organization and conduct must be tested against the statutory terrorism definitions. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should state remaining protection. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should obtain reviewable findings. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should avoid conclusory labels. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should compare charge and proof. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should document information sources. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should address contrary evidence. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should request a clause-specific ruling. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify the incorporated clause. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should state the alleged conduct. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate suspicion from proof.

S-K intent irrelevance doctrine withholding and cat applies this rule: Humanitarian equities should remain separate from the statutory material-support inquiry. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should address contrary evidence. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should request a clause-specific ruling. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify the incorporated clause. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should state the alleged conduct. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate suspicion from proof. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should test each element independently. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should cite the source evidence. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should challenge unreliable attribution. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate group status from conduct. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify any knowledge finding.

S-K intent irrelevance doctrine withholding and cat applies this rule: Matter of S-K- holds that benevolent intent in providing support does not itself remove qualifying assistance from the material-support provision. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should test each element independently. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should cite the source evidence. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should challenge unreliable attribution. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate group status from conduct. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify any knowledge finding. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should record the activity date. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate removability from relief. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should request a burden ruling. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should preserve evidence objections. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify exemption authority separately.

Appeal Preservation

S-K intent irrelevance doctrine appeal preservation applies this rule: The organization and conduct must be tested against the statutory terrorism definitions. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify exemption authority separately. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should state remaining protection. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should obtain reviewable findings. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should avoid conclusory labels. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should compare charge and proof. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should document information sources. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should address contrary evidence. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should request a clause-specific ruling. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify the incorporated clause. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should state the alleged conduct.

S-K intent irrelevance doctrine appeal preservation applies this rule: Humanitarian equities should remain separate from the statutory material-support inquiry. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should document information sources. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should address contrary evidence. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should request a clause-specific ruling. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify the incorporated clause. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should state the alleged conduct. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate suspicion from proof. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should test each element independently. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should cite the source evidence. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should challenge unreliable attribution. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate group status from conduct.

S-K intent irrelevance doctrine appeal preservation applies this rule: Matter of S-K- holds that benevolent intent in providing support does not itself remove qualifying assistance from the material-support provision. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate suspicion from proof. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should test each element independently. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should cite the source evidence. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should challenge unreliable attribution. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate group status from conduct. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify any knowledge finding. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should record the activity date. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate removability from relief. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should request a burden ruling. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should preserve evidence objections.

S-K intent irrelevance doctrine appeal preservation applies this rule: The intended use of the support by the recipient likewise does not create a general exception. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify any knowledge finding. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should record the activity date. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate removability from relief. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should request a burden ruling. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should preserve evidence objections. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify exemption authority separately. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should state remaining protection. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should obtain reviewable findings. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should avoid conclusory labels. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should compare charge and proof.

Checklist

S-K intent irrelevance doctrine checklist applies this rule: Humanitarian equities should remain separate from the statutory material-support inquiry. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should compare charge and proof. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should document information sources. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should address contrary evidence. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should request a clause-specific ruling. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify the incorporated clause. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should state the alleged conduct. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate suspicion from proof. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should test each element independently. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should cite the source evidence. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should challenge unreliable attribution.

S-K intent irrelevance doctrine checklist applies this rule: Matter of S-K- holds that benevolent intent in providing support does not itself remove qualifying assistance from the material-support provision. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should state the alleged conduct. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate suspicion from proof. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should test each element independently. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should cite the source evidence. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should challenge unreliable attribution. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate group status from conduct. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify any knowledge finding. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should record the activity date. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate removability from relief. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should request a burden ruling.

S-K intent irrelevance doctrine checklist applies this rule: The intended use of the support by the recipient likewise does not create a general exception. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate group status from conduct. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify any knowledge finding. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should record the activity date. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should separate removability from relief. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should request a burden ruling. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should preserve evidence objections. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify exemption authority separately. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should state remaining protection. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should obtain reviewable findings. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should avoid conclusory labels.

S-K intent irrelevance doctrine checklist applies this rule: S-K- rejects a free-ranging totality test based on an organization's goals or the regime it opposes. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should preserve evidence objections. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify exemption authority separately. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should state remaining protection. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should obtain reviewable findings. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should avoid conclusory labels. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should compare charge and proof. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should document information sources. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should address contrary evidence. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should request a clause-specific ruling. S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should identify the incorporated clause.

Primary Legal Authorities and Sources

Matter of S-K-, 23 I&N Dec. 936 (BIA 2006) BIA precedent on terrorist organizations, material support, intent, and intended use.
Matter of M-H-Z-, 26 I&N Dec. 757 (BIA 2016) BIA precedent rejecting an implied duress exception to the material-support bar.
Matter of A-C-M-, 27 I&N Dec. 303 (BIA 2018) BIA precedent explaining that material support has no quantitative minimum.
8 U.S.C. §1182(a)(3) — Security and Related Grounds Current terrorism, foreign-policy, and atrocity definitions incorporated into INA §237(a)(4).
8 U.S.C. §1227(a)(4) — Security and Related Grounds Current INA §237(a)(4) security and related deportability grounds.
8 C.F.R. §1240.8 — Burdens in Removal Proceedings Current removal and relief burden regulation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the rule for Matter of S-K material support intent intended use terrorism?

S-K intent irrelevance doctrine: Matter of S-K- holds that benevolent intent in providing support does not itself remove qualifying assistance from the material-support provision.

Does Matter of S-K material support intent intended use terrorism require a conviction?

S-K intent irrelevance doctrine requires reading the exact clause. Several security grounds are conduct based.

What burden applies to Matter of S-K material support intent intended use terrorism?

S-K intent irrelevance doctrine remains within DHS's clear-and-convincing removability burden.

Can Matter of S-K material support intent intended use terrorism affect asylum?

S-K intent irrelevance doctrine can overlap with separate asylum and withholding bars.

What evidence matters for Matter of S-K material support intent intended use terrorism?

S-K intent irrelevance doctrine requires evidence tied to the specific statutory element and source.

How is Matter of S-K material support intent intended use terrorism preserved for appeal?

S-K intent irrelevance doctrine should produce findings on clause, burden, evidence, conduct, and relief effect.

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