We have calculated the polarization properties of dielectronic satellite lines in Li- and Be-like Fe ions excited through resonance electron capture by a monoenergetic electron beam. Following the density matrix formalism, we have computed the degree of polarization and the spectral intensity distribution of dielectronic satellites associated with a given polarization state. Theoretical results were compared with experiments performed at the Livermore Electron Beam Ion Trap where satellite line emission from Fe ions was simultaneously recorded with two crystal spectrometers. These results are relevant to diagnostic applications of x-ray line polarization spectroscopy in plasmas. ©1997 American Institute of Physics.