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

Material Support Has No Quantitative Minimum Under Matter of A-C-M-

Matter of A-C-M- rejects a quantitative minimum for material support. This page focuses on the charge, proof, incorporated definitions, relief consequences, and preservation.

Reviewed by Peter Messersmith September 18, 2026

Direct Answer

Matter of A-C-M- rejects a quantitative minimum for material support. The Board explained that assistance is material when it has a logical and reasonably foreseeable tendency to promote, sustain, or maintain the organization, even to a de minimis degree. A-C-M- applied the doctrine to forced cooking, cleaning, and washing for guerrillas.

Core Rule

A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine core rule applies this rule: Matter of A-C-M- rejects a quantitative minimum for material support. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify the incorporated clause. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should state the alleged conduct. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate suspicion from proof. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should test each element independently. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should cite the source evidence. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should challenge unreliable attribution. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate group status from conduct. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify any knowledge finding. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should record the activity date. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate removability from relief.

A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine core rule applies this rule: The Board explained that assistance is material when it has a logical and reasonably foreseeable tendency to promote, sustain, or maintain the organization, even to a de minimis degree. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should challenge unreliable attribution. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate group status from conduct. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify any knowledge finding. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should record the activity date. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate removability from relief. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should request a burden ruling. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should preserve evidence objections. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify exemption authority separately. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should state remaining protection. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should obtain reviewable findings.

A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine core rule applies this rule: A-C-M- applied the doctrine to forced cooking, cleaning, and washing for guerrillas. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should request a burden ruling. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should preserve evidence objections. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify exemption authority separately. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should state remaining protection. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should obtain reviewable findings. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should avoid conclusory labels. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should compare charge and proof. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should document information sources. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should address contrary evidence. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should request a clause-specific ruling.

A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine core rule applies this rule: The form of assistance and its relationship to organizational functioning matter more than a fixed dollar threshold. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should avoid conclusory labels. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should compare charge and proof. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should document information sources. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should address contrary evidence. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should request a clause-specific ruling. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify the incorporated clause. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should state the alleged conduct. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate suspicion from proof. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should test each element independently. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should cite the source evidence.

Statutory Text

A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine statutory text applies this rule: The Board explained that assistance is material when it has a logical and reasonably foreseeable tendency to promote, sustain, or maintain the organization, even to a de minimis degree. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should cite the source evidence. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should challenge unreliable attribution. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate group status from conduct. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify any knowledge finding. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should record the activity date. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate removability from relief. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should request a burden ruling. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should preserve evidence objections. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify exemption authority separately. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should state remaining protection.

A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine statutory text applies this rule: A-C-M- applied the doctrine to forced cooking, cleaning, and washing for guerrillas. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate removability from relief. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should request a burden ruling. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should preserve evidence objections. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify exemption authority separately. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should state remaining protection. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should obtain reviewable findings. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should avoid conclusory labels. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should compare charge and proof. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should document information sources. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should address contrary evidence.

A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine statutory text applies this rule: The form of assistance and its relationship to organizational functioning matter more than a fixed dollar threshold. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should obtain reviewable findings. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should avoid conclusory labels. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should compare charge and proof. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should document information sources. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should address contrary evidence. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should request a clause-specific ruling. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify the incorporated clause. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should state the alleged conduct. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate suspicion from proof. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should test each element independently.

A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine statutory text applies this rule: Duress is governed separately by Matter of M-H-Z-. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should request a clause-specific ruling. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify the incorporated clause. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should state the alleged conduct. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate suspicion from proof. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should test each element independently. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should cite the source evidence. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should challenge unreliable attribution. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate group status from conduct. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify any knowledge finding. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should record the activity date.

Elements

A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine elements applies this rule: A-C-M- applied the doctrine to forced cooking, cleaning, and washing for guerrillas. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should record the activity date. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate removability from relief. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should request a burden ruling. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should preserve evidence objections. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify exemption authority separately. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should state remaining protection. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should obtain reviewable findings. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should avoid conclusory labels. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should compare charge and proof. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should document information sources.

A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine elements applies this rule: The form of assistance and its relationship to organizational functioning matter more than a fixed dollar threshold. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should state remaining protection. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should obtain reviewable findings. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should avoid conclusory labels. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should compare charge and proof. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should document information sources. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should address contrary evidence. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should request a clause-specific ruling. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify the incorporated clause. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should state the alleged conduct. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate suspicion from proof.

A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine elements applies this rule: Duress is governed separately by Matter of M-H-Z-. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should address contrary evidence. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should request a clause-specific ruling. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify the incorporated clause. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should state the alleged conduct. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate suspicion from proof. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should test each element independently. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should cite the source evidence. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should challenge unreliable attribution. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate group status from conduct. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify any knowledge finding.

A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine elements applies this rule: Matter of A-C-M- rejects a quantitative minimum for material support. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should test each element independently. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should cite the source evidence. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should challenge unreliable attribution. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate group status from conduct. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify any knowledge finding. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should record the activity date. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate removability from relief. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should request a burden ruling. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should preserve evidence objections. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify exemption authority separately.

Charging Theory

A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine charging theory applies this rule: The form of assistance and its relationship to organizational functioning matter more than a fixed dollar threshold. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify exemption authority separately. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should state remaining protection. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should obtain reviewable findings. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should avoid conclusory labels. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should compare charge and proof. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should document information sources. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should address contrary evidence. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should request a clause-specific ruling. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify the incorporated clause. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should state the alleged conduct.

A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine charging theory applies this rule: Duress is governed separately by Matter of M-H-Z-. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should document information sources. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should address contrary evidence. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should request a clause-specific ruling. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify the incorporated clause. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should state the alleged conduct. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate suspicion from proof. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should test each element independently. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should cite the source evidence. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should challenge unreliable attribution. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate group status from conduct.

A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine charging theory applies this rule: Matter of A-C-M- rejects a quantitative minimum for material support. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate suspicion from proof. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should test each element independently. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should cite the source evidence. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should challenge unreliable attribution. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate group status from conduct. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify any knowledge finding. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should record the activity date. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate removability from relief. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should request a burden ruling. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should preserve evidence objections.

A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine charging theory applies this rule: The Board explained that assistance is material when it has a logical and reasonably foreseeable tendency to promote, sustain, or maintain the organization, even to a de minimis degree. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify any knowledge finding. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should record the activity date. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate removability from relief. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should request a burden ruling. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should preserve evidence objections. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify exemption authority separately. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should state remaining protection. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should obtain reviewable findings. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should avoid conclusory labels. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should compare charge and proof.

Burden

A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine burden applies this rule: Duress is governed separately by Matter of M-H-Z-. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should compare charge and proof. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should document information sources. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should address contrary evidence. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should request a clause-specific ruling. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify the incorporated clause. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should state the alleged conduct. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate suspicion from proof. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should test each element independently. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should cite the source evidence. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should challenge unreliable attribution.

A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine burden applies this rule: Matter of A-C-M- rejects a quantitative minimum for material support. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should state the alleged conduct. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate suspicion from proof. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should test each element independently. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should cite the source evidence. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should challenge unreliable attribution. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate group status from conduct. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify any knowledge finding. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should record the activity date. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate removability from relief. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should request a burden ruling.

A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine burden applies this rule: The Board explained that assistance is material when it has a logical and reasonably foreseeable tendency to promote, sustain, or maintain the organization, even to a de minimis degree. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate group status from conduct. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify any knowledge finding. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should record the activity date. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate removability from relief. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should request a burden ruling. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should preserve evidence objections. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify exemption authority separately. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should state remaining protection. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should obtain reviewable findings. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should avoid conclusory labels.

A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine burden applies this rule: A-C-M- applied the doctrine to forced cooking, cleaning, and washing for guerrillas. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should preserve evidence objections. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify exemption authority separately. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should state remaining protection. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should obtain reviewable findings. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should avoid conclusory labels. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should compare charge and proof. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should document information sources. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should address contrary evidence. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should request a clause-specific ruling. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify the incorporated clause.

Evidence

A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine evidence applies this rule: Matter of A-C-M- rejects a quantitative minimum for material support. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify the incorporated clause. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should state the alleged conduct. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate suspicion from proof. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should test each element independently. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should cite the source evidence. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should challenge unreliable attribution. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate group status from conduct. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify any knowledge finding. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should record the activity date. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate removability from relief.

A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine evidence applies this rule: The Board explained that assistance is material when it has a logical and reasonably foreseeable tendency to promote, sustain, or maintain the organization, even to a de minimis degree. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should challenge unreliable attribution. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate group status from conduct. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify any knowledge finding. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should record the activity date. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate removability from relief. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should request a burden ruling. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should preserve evidence objections. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify exemption authority separately. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should state remaining protection. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should obtain reviewable findings.

A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine evidence applies this rule: A-C-M- applied the doctrine to forced cooking, cleaning, and washing for guerrillas. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should request a burden ruling. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should preserve evidence objections. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify exemption authority separately. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should state remaining protection. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should obtain reviewable findings. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should avoid conclusory labels. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should compare charge and proof. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should document information sources. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should address contrary evidence. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should request a clause-specific ruling.

A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine evidence applies this rule: The form of assistance and its relationship to organizational functioning matter more than a fixed dollar threshold. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should avoid conclusory labels. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should compare charge and proof. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should document information sources. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should address contrary evidence. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should request a clause-specific ruling. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify the incorporated clause. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should state the alleged conduct. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate suspicion from proof. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should test each element independently. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should cite the source evidence.

Respondent Position

A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine respondent position applies this rule: The Board explained that assistance is material when it has a logical and reasonably foreseeable tendency to promote, sustain, or maintain the organization, even to a de minimis degree. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should cite the source evidence. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should challenge unreliable attribution. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate group status from conduct. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify any knowledge finding. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should record the activity date. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate removability from relief. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should request a burden ruling. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should preserve evidence objections. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify exemption authority separately. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should state remaining protection.

A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine respondent position applies this rule: A-C-M- applied the doctrine to forced cooking, cleaning, and washing for guerrillas. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate removability from relief. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should request a burden ruling. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should preserve evidence objections. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify exemption authority separately. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should state remaining protection. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should obtain reviewable findings. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should avoid conclusory labels. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should compare charge and proof. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should document information sources. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should address contrary evidence.

A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine respondent position applies this rule: The form of assistance and its relationship to organizational functioning matter more than a fixed dollar threshold. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should obtain reviewable findings. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should avoid conclusory labels. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should compare charge and proof. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should document information sources. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should address contrary evidence. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should request a clause-specific ruling. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify the incorporated clause. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should state the alleged conduct. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate suspicion from proof. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should test each element independently.

A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine respondent position applies this rule: Duress is governed separately by Matter of M-H-Z-. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should request a clause-specific ruling. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify the incorporated clause. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should state the alleged conduct. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate suspicion from proof. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should test each element independently. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should cite the source evidence. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should challenge unreliable attribution. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate group status from conduct. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify any knowledge finding. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should record the activity date.

DHS Position

A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine dhs position applies this rule: A-C-M- applied the doctrine to forced cooking, cleaning, and washing for guerrillas. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should record the activity date. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate removability from relief. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should request a burden ruling. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should preserve evidence objections. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify exemption authority separately. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should state remaining protection. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should obtain reviewable findings. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should avoid conclusory labels. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should compare charge and proof. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should document information sources.

A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine dhs position applies this rule: The form of assistance and its relationship to organizational functioning matter more than a fixed dollar threshold. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should state remaining protection. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should obtain reviewable findings. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should avoid conclusory labels. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should compare charge and proof. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should document information sources. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should address contrary evidence. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should request a clause-specific ruling. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify the incorporated clause. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should state the alleged conduct. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate suspicion from proof.

A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine dhs position applies this rule: Duress is governed separately by Matter of M-H-Z-. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should address contrary evidence. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should request a clause-specific ruling. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify the incorporated clause. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should state the alleged conduct. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate suspicion from proof. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should test each element independently. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should cite the source evidence. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should challenge unreliable attribution. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate group status from conduct. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify any knowledge finding.

A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine dhs position applies this rule: Matter of A-C-M- rejects a quantitative minimum for material support. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should test each element independently. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should cite the source evidence. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should challenge unreliable attribution. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate group status from conduct. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify any knowledge finding. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should record the activity date. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate removability from relief. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should request a burden ruling. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should preserve evidence objections. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify exemption authority separately.

Judge Findings

A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine judge findings applies this rule: The form of assistance and its relationship to organizational functioning matter more than a fixed dollar threshold. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify exemption authority separately. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should state remaining protection. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should obtain reviewable findings. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should avoid conclusory labels. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should compare charge and proof. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should document information sources. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should address contrary evidence. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should request a clause-specific ruling. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify the incorporated clause. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should state the alleged conduct.

A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine judge findings applies this rule: Duress is governed separately by Matter of M-H-Z-. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should document information sources. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should address contrary evidence. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should request a clause-specific ruling. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify the incorporated clause. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should state the alleged conduct. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate suspicion from proof. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should test each element independently. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should cite the source evidence. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should challenge unreliable attribution. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate group status from conduct.

A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine judge findings applies this rule: Matter of A-C-M- rejects a quantitative minimum for material support. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate suspicion from proof. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should test each element independently. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should cite the source evidence. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should challenge unreliable attribution. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate group status from conduct. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify any knowledge finding. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should record the activity date. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate removability from relief. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should request a burden ruling. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should preserve evidence objections.

A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine judge findings applies this rule: The Board explained that assistance is material when it has a logical and reasonably foreseeable tendency to promote, sustain, or maintain the organization, even to a de minimis degree. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify any knowledge finding. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should record the activity date. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate removability from relief. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should request a burden ruling. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should preserve evidence objections. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify exemption authority separately. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should state remaining protection. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should obtain reviewable findings. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should avoid conclusory labels. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should compare charge and proof.

Conduct or Conviction

A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine conduct or conviction applies this rule: Duress is governed separately by Matter of M-H-Z-. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should compare charge and proof. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should document information sources. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should address contrary evidence. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should request a clause-specific ruling. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify the incorporated clause. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should state the alleged conduct. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate suspicion from proof. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should test each element independently. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should cite the source evidence. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should challenge unreliable attribution.

A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine conduct or conviction applies this rule: Matter of A-C-M- rejects a quantitative minimum for material support. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should state the alleged conduct. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate suspicion from proof. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should test each element independently. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should cite the source evidence. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should challenge unreliable attribution. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate group status from conduct. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify any knowledge finding. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should record the activity date. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate removability from relief. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should request a burden ruling.

A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine conduct or conviction applies this rule: The Board explained that assistance is material when it has a logical and reasonably foreseeable tendency to promote, sustain, or maintain the organization, even to a de minimis degree. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate group status from conduct. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify any knowledge finding. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should record the activity date. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate removability from relief. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should request a burden ruling. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should preserve evidence objections. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify exemption authority separately. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should state remaining protection. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should obtain reviewable findings. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should avoid conclusory labels.

A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine conduct or conviction applies this rule: A-C-M- applied the doctrine to forced cooking, cleaning, and washing for guerrillas. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should preserve evidence objections. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify exemption authority separately. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should state remaining protection. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should obtain reviewable findings. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should avoid conclusory labels. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should compare charge and proof. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should document information sources. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should address contrary evidence. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should request a clause-specific ruling. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify the incorporated clause.

Actor Status

A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine actor status applies this rule: Matter of A-C-M- rejects a quantitative minimum for material support. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify the incorporated clause. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should state the alleged conduct. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate suspicion from proof. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should test each element independently. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should cite the source evidence. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should challenge unreliable attribution. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate group status from conduct. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify any knowledge finding. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should record the activity date. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate removability from relief.

A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine actor status applies this rule: The Board explained that assistance is material when it has a logical and reasonably foreseeable tendency to promote, sustain, or maintain the organization, even to a de minimis degree. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should challenge unreliable attribution. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate group status from conduct. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify any knowledge finding. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should record the activity date. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate removability from relief. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should request a burden ruling. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should preserve evidence objections. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify exemption authority separately. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should state remaining protection. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should obtain reviewable findings.

A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine actor status applies this rule: A-C-M- applied the doctrine to forced cooking, cleaning, and washing for guerrillas. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should request a burden ruling. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should preserve evidence objections. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify exemption authority separately. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should state remaining protection. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should obtain reviewable findings. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should avoid conclusory labels. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should compare charge and proof. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should document information sources. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should address contrary evidence. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should request a clause-specific ruling.

A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine actor status applies this rule: The form of assistance and its relationship to organizational functioning matter more than a fixed dollar threshold. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should avoid conclusory labels. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should compare charge and proof. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should document information sources. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should address contrary evidence. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should request a clause-specific ruling. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify the incorporated clause. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should state the alleged conduct. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate suspicion from proof. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should test each element independently. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should cite the source evidence.

Asylum Effect

A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine asylum effect applies this rule: The Board explained that assistance is material when it has a logical and reasonably foreseeable tendency to promote, sustain, or maintain the organization, even to a de minimis degree. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should cite the source evidence. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should challenge unreliable attribution. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate group status from conduct. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify any knowledge finding. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should record the activity date. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate removability from relief. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should request a burden ruling. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should preserve evidence objections. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify exemption authority separately. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should state remaining protection.

A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine asylum effect applies this rule: A-C-M- applied the doctrine to forced cooking, cleaning, and washing for guerrillas. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate removability from relief. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should request a burden ruling. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should preserve evidence objections. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify exemption authority separately. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should state remaining protection. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should obtain reviewable findings. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should avoid conclusory labels. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should compare charge and proof. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should document information sources. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should address contrary evidence.

A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine asylum effect applies this rule: The form of assistance and its relationship to organizational functioning matter more than a fixed dollar threshold. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should obtain reviewable findings. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should avoid conclusory labels. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should compare charge and proof. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should document information sources. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should address contrary evidence. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should request a clause-specific ruling. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify the incorporated clause. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should state the alleged conduct. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate suspicion from proof. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should test each element independently.

A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine asylum effect applies this rule: Duress is governed separately by Matter of M-H-Z-. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should request a clause-specific ruling. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify the incorporated clause. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should state the alleged conduct. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate suspicion from proof. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should test each element independently. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should cite the source evidence. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should challenge unreliable attribution. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate group status from conduct. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify any knowledge finding. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should record the activity date.

Withholding and CAT

A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine withholding and cat applies this rule: A-C-M- applied the doctrine to forced cooking, cleaning, and washing for guerrillas. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should record the activity date. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate removability from relief. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should request a burden ruling. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should preserve evidence objections. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify exemption authority separately. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should state remaining protection. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should obtain reviewable findings. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should avoid conclusory labels. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should compare charge and proof. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should document information sources.

A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine withholding and cat applies this rule: The form of assistance and its relationship to organizational functioning matter more than a fixed dollar threshold. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should state remaining protection. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should obtain reviewable findings. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should avoid conclusory labels. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should compare charge and proof. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should document information sources. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should address contrary evidence. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should request a clause-specific ruling. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify the incorporated clause. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should state the alleged conduct. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate suspicion from proof.

A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine withholding and cat applies this rule: Duress is governed separately by Matter of M-H-Z-. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should address contrary evidence. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should request a clause-specific ruling. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify the incorporated clause. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should state the alleged conduct. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate suspicion from proof. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should test each element independently. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should cite the source evidence. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should challenge unreliable attribution. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate group status from conduct. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify any knowledge finding.

A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine withholding and cat applies this rule: Matter of A-C-M- rejects a quantitative minimum for material support. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should test each element independently. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should cite the source evidence. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should challenge unreliable attribution. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate group status from conduct. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify any knowledge finding. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should record the activity date. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate removability from relief. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should request a burden ruling. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should preserve evidence objections. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify exemption authority separately.

Appeal Preservation

A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine appeal preservation applies this rule: The form of assistance and its relationship to organizational functioning matter more than a fixed dollar threshold. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify exemption authority separately. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should state remaining protection. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should obtain reviewable findings. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should avoid conclusory labels. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should compare charge and proof. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should document information sources. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should address contrary evidence. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should request a clause-specific ruling. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify the incorporated clause. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should state the alleged conduct.

A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine appeal preservation applies this rule: Duress is governed separately by Matter of M-H-Z-. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should document information sources. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should address contrary evidence. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should request a clause-specific ruling. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify the incorporated clause. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should state the alleged conduct. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate suspicion from proof. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should test each element independently. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should cite the source evidence. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should challenge unreliable attribution. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate group status from conduct.

A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine appeal preservation applies this rule: Matter of A-C-M- rejects a quantitative minimum for material support. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate suspicion from proof. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should test each element independently. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should cite the source evidence. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should challenge unreliable attribution. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate group status from conduct. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify any knowledge finding. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should record the activity date. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate removability from relief. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should request a burden ruling. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should preserve evidence objections.

A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine appeal preservation applies this rule: The Board explained that assistance is material when it has a logical and reasonably foreseeable tendency to promote, sustain, or maintain the organization, even to a de minimis degree. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify any knowledge finding. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should record the activity date. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate removability from relief. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should request a burden ruling. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should preserve evidence objections. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify exemption authority separately. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should state remaining protection. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should obtain reviewable findings. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should avoid conclusory labels. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should compare charge and proof.

Checklist

A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine checklist applies this rule: Duress is governed separately by Matter of M-H-Z-. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should compare charge and proof. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should document information sources. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should address contrary evidence. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should request a clause-specific ruling. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify the incorporated clause. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should state the alleged conduct. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate suspicion from proof. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should test each element independently. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should cite the source evidence. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should challenge unreliable attribution.

A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine checklist applies this rule: Matter of A-C-M- rejects a quantitative minimum for material support. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should state the alleged conduct. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate suspicion from proof. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should test each element independently. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should cite the source evidence. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should challenge unreliable attribution. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate group status from conduct. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify any knowledge finding. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should record the activity date. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate removability from relief. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should request a burden ruling.

A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine checklist applies this rule: The Board explained that assistance is material when it has a logical and reasonably foreseeable tendency to promote, sustain, or maintain the organization, even to a de minimis degree. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate group status from conduct. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify any knowledge finding. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should record the activity date. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should separate removability from relief. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should request a burden ruling. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should preserve evidence objections. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify exemption authority separately. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should state remaining protection. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should obtain reviewable findings. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should avoid conclusory labels.

A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine checklist applies this rule: A-C-M- applied the doctrine to forced cooking, cleaning, and washing for guerrillas. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should preserve evidence objections. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify exemption authority separately. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should state remaining protection. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should obtain reviewable findings. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should avoid conclusory labels. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should compare charge and proof. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should document information sources. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should address contrary evidence. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should request a clause-specific ruling. A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should identify the incorporated clause.

Primary Legal Authorities and Sources

Matter of A-C-M-, 27 I&N Dec. 303 (BIA 2018) BIA precedent explaining that material support has no quantitative minimum.
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 S-K-, 23 I&N Dec. 936 (BIA 2006) BIA precedent on terrorist organizations, material support, intent, and intended use.
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 A-C-M material support no quantitative minimum?

A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine: Matter of A-C-M- rejects a quantitative minimum for material support.

Does Matter of A-C-M material support no quantitative minimum require a conviction?

A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine requires reading the exact clause. Several security grounds are conduct based.

What burden applies to Matter of A-C-M material support no quantitative minimum?

A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine remains within DHS's clear-and-convincing removability burden.

Can Matter of A-C-M material support no quantitative minimum affect asylum?

A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine can overlap with separate asylum and withholding bars.

What evidence matters for Matter of A-C-M material support no quantitative minimum?

A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine requires evidence tied to the specific statutory element and source.

How is Matter of A-C-M material support no quantitative minimum preserved for appeal?

A-C-M de-minimis support doctrine should produce findings on clause, burden, evidence, conduct, and relief effect.

Case Evaluation

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