I 
112TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 5822 
To require a report on the designation of Boko Haram as a foreign terrorist 
organization, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MAY 17, 2012 
Mr. MEEHAN (for himself, Mr. KING of New York, Mr. ROGERS of Alabama, 
Mrs. MILLER of Michigan, Mr. MCCAUL, Mr. CRAVAACK, Mr. LONG, Mr. 
DANIEL E. LUNGREN of California, and Mr. DENT) introduced the fol-
lowing bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary 
A BILL 
To require a report on the designation of Boko Haram 
as a foreign terrorist organization, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Boko Haram Terrorist 
Designation Act of 2012’’. 
SEC. 2. REPORT ON DESIGNATION OF BOKO HARAM AS A 
FOREIGN TERRORIST ORGANIZATION. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following: 
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(1) On August 26, 2011, a vehicle borne explo-
sive device (VBIED) was detonated after being driv-
en into the lobby of a United Nations facility in 
Abuja, Nigeria. At least 21 people died as a result 
of the explosion, and the Islamist militant organiza-
tion commonly called ‘‘Boko Haram’’ claimed re-
sponsibility. 
(2) On December 25, 2011, a series of bombs 
were detonated across northern Nigeria. Some of 
these attacks killed worshippers attending Christmas 
Day services, and killed an estimated total of 41 
people. Boko Haram claimed responsibility. 
(3) From their inception, Boko Haram has 
killed hundreds of innocent civilians and has contin-
ually enhanced its lethality, pledging to continue its 
use of terrorist tactics. In a July 2010 statement, 
Boko Haram’s leader, Abubakar Shekau, issued sup-
port to al Qaeda and made threatening remarks to 
the United States. 
(4) On January 31, 2012, in testimony before 
Congress, Director of National Intelligence James 
Clapper included Boko Haram in his worldwide 
threat assessment, stating ‘‘There are also fears that 
Boko Haram—elements of which have engaged al- 
Qa’ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM)—is inter-
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ested in hitting Western targets, such as the U.S. 
Embassy and hotels frequented by Westerners.’’. 
(5) On February 23, 2012, United States Am-
bassador to Nigeria Terrence P. McCulley indicated 
Boko Haram’s danger was expanding. He said, 
‘‘We’ve seen an increase in sophistication, we’ve seen 
increased lethality. We saw at last a part of the 
group has decided it’s in their interest to attack the 
international community.’’. 
(6) On February 27, 2012, at a conference held 
by the African Society of the National Summit on 
Africa, former United States Ambassador to Nigeria 
Howard F. Jeter described Boko Haram by saying, 
‘‘It is a terrorist group. If you kill 28 innocent peo-
ple worshipping in a church, it is a terrorist group.’’. 
(7) The Foreign Office of the United Kingdom 
of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, a major 
United States ally, publicly refers to Boko Haram as 
the ‘‘main terrorist threat in Nigeria’’. 
(b) REPORT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 30 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
of State shall submit to the appropriate congres-
sional committees— 
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(A) a detailed report on whether the Nige-
rian organization named ‘‘People Committed to 
the Propagation of the Prophet’s Teachings and 
Jihad’’ (commonly known as ‘‘Boko Haram’’), 
meets the criteria for designation as a foreign 
terrorist organization under section 219 of the 
Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 
1189); and 
(B) if the Secretary of State determines 
that Boko Haram does not meet such criteria, 
a detailed justification as to which criteria have 
not been met. 
(2) FORM.—The report required by paragraph 
(1) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may 
include a classified annex if appropriate. 
(3) APPROPRIATE
CONGRESSIONAL
COMMIT-
TEES DEFINED.—In this subsection, the term ‘‘ap-
propriate congressional committees’’ means— 
(A) the Committee on Homeland Security, 
the Committee on Armed Services, the Com-
mittee on Foreign Affairs, and the Permanent 
Select Committee on Intelligence of the House 
of Representatives; and 
(B) the Committee on Homeland Security 
and Governmental Affairs, the Committee on 
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