Immigration and Nationality Act

The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) was enacted in 1952. The INA collected many provisions and reorganized the structure of immigration law. The INA has been amended many times over the years and contains many of the most important provisions of immigration law.

The INA is contained in the United States Code (U.S.C.). The U.S. Code is a collection of all the laws of the United States. Title 8 of the U.S. Code covers "Aliens and Nationality."

The tables below show INA sections and their corresponding U.S. Code section. To ensure accuracy, USCIS links to the official U.S. Code prepared by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Title I: General Provisions

Title II: Immigration

Immigration and
Nationality Act

U.S. Code

Title

INA 201

8 U.S.C. 1151

Worldwide level of immigration.

INA 202

8 U.S.C. 1152

Numerical limitations on individual foreign states.

INA 203

8 U.S.C. 1153

Allocation of immigrant visas.

INA 204

8 U.S.C. 1154

Procedure for granting immigrant status.

INA 205

8 U.S.C. 1155

Revocation of approval of petitions; effective date.

INA 206

8 U.S.C. 1156

Unused immigrant visas.

INA 207

8 U.S.C. 1157

Annual admission of refugees and admission of emergency situation refugees.

INA 208

8 U.S.C. 1158

Asylum.

INA 209

8 U.S.C. 1159

Adjustment of status of refugees.

INA 210

8 U.S.C. 1160

Special agricultural workers.

INA 210A

8 U.S.C. 1161

Repealed.

INA 211

8 U.S.C. 1181

Admission of immigrants into the United States.

INA 212

8 U.S.C. 1182

Inadmissible aliens.

INA 213

8 U.S.C. 1183

Admission of aliens on giving bond or undertaking; return upon permanent departure.

INA 213A

8 U.S.C. 1183a

Requirements for sponsor's affidavit of support.

INA 214

8 U.S.C. 1184

Admission of nonimmigrants.

INA 215

8 U.S.C. 1185

Travel control of citizens and aliens.

INA 216

8 U.S.C. 1186a

Conditional permanent resident status for certain alien spouses and sons and daughters.

INA 216A

8 U.S.C. 1186b

Conditional permanent resident status for certain alien entrepreneurs, spouses, and children.

INA 217

8 U.S.C. 1187

Visa waiver program for certain visitors.

INA 218

8 U.S.C. 1188

Admission of temporary H–2A workers.

INA 219

8 U.S.C. 1189

Designation of foreign terrorist organizations.

INA 221

8 U.S.C. 1201

Issuance of visas.

INA 222

8 U.S.C. 1202

Application for visas.

INA 223

8 U.S.C. 1203

Reentry permit.

INA 224

8 U.S.C. 1204

Immediate relative and special immigrant visas.

INA 231

8 U.S.C. 1221

Lists of alien and citizen passengers arriving and departing.

INA 232

8 U.S.C. 1222

Detention of aliens for physical and mental examination.

INA 233

8 U.S.C. 1223

Entry through or from foreign territory and adjacent islands.

INA 234

8 U.S.C. 1224

Designation of ports of entry for aliens arriving by aircraft.

INA 235

8 U.S.C. 1225

Inspection by immigration officers; expedited removal of inadmissible arriving aliens; referral for hearing.

INA 235A

8 U.S.C. 1225a

Preinspection at foreign airports.

INA 236

8 U.S.C. 1226

Apprehension and detention of aliens.

INA 236A

8 U.S.C. 1226a

Mandatory detention of suspected terrorists; habeas corpus; judicial review.

INA 237

8 U.S.C. 1227

Deportable aliens.

INA 238

8 U.S.C. 1228

Expedited removal of aliens convicted of committing aggravated felonies.

INA 239

8 U.S.C. 1229

Initiation of removal proceedings.

INA 240

8 U.S.C. 1229a

Removal proceedings.

INA 240A

8 U.S.C. 1229b

Cancellation of removal; adjustment of status.

INA 240B

8 U.S.C. 1229c

Voluntary departure.

INA 240C

8 U.S.C. 1230

Records of admission.

INA 241

8 U.S.C. 1231

Detention and removal of aliens ordered removed.

INA 242

8 U.S.C. 1252

Judicial review of orders of removal.

INA 242A

8 U.S.C. 1252a

Transferred.

INA 242B

8 U.S.C. 1252b

Repealed.

INA 243

8 U.S.C. 1253

Penalties related to removal.

INA 244

8 U.S.C. 1254a

Temporary protected status.

INA 245

8 U.S.C. 1255

Adjustment of status of nonimmigrant to that of person admitted for permanent residence.

INA 245A

8 U.S.C. 1255a

Adjustment of status of certain entrants before January 1, 1982, to that of person admitted for lawful residence.

INA 246

8 U.S.C. 1256

Rescission of adjustment of status; effect upon naturalized citizen.

INA 247

8 U.S.C. 1257

Adjustment of status of certain resident aliens to nonimmigrant status; exceptions.

INA 248

8 U.S.C. 1258

Change of nonimmigrant classification.

INA 249

8 U.S.C. 1259

Record of admission for permanent residence in the case of certain aliens who entered the United States prior to January 1, 1972.

INA 250

8 U.S.C. 1260

Removal of aliens falling into distress.

INA 251

8 U.S.C. 1281

Alien crewmen.

INA 252

8 U.S.C. 1282

Conditional permits to land temporarily.

INA 253

8 U.S.C. 1283

Hospital treatment of alien crewmen afflicted with certain diseases.

INA 254

8 U.S.C. 1284

Control of alien crewmen.

INA 255

8 U.S.C. 1285

Employment on passenger vessels of aliens afflicted with certain disabilities.

INA 256

8 U.S.C. 1286

Discharge of alien crewmen; penalties.

INA 257

8 U.S.C. 1287

Alien crewmen brought into the United States with intent to evade immigration laws; penalties.

INA 258

8 U.S.C. 1288

Limitations on performance of longshore work by alien crewmen.

INA 261

8 U.S.C. 1301

Alien seeking entry; contents.

INA 262

8 U.S.C. 1302

Registration of aliens.

INA 263

8 U.S.C. 1303

Registration of special groups.

INA 264

8 U.S.C. 1304

Forms for registration and fingerprinting.

INA 265

8 U.S.C. 1305

Notices of change of address.

INA 266

8 U.S.C. 1306

Penalties.

INA 271

8 U.S.C. 1321

Prevention of unauthorized landing of aliens.

INA 272

8 U.S.C. 1322

Bringing in aliens subject to denial of admission on a health-related ground; persons liable; clearance papers; exceptions; "person" defined.

INA 273

8 U.S.C. 1323

Unlawful bringing of aliens into United States.

INA 274

8 U.S.C. 1324

Bringing in and harboring certain aliens.

INA 274A

8 U.S.C. 1324a

Unlawful employment of aliens.

INA 274B

8 U.S.C. 1324b

Unfair immigration-related employment practices.

INA 274C

8 U.S.C. 1324c

Penalties for document fraud.

INA 274D

8 U.S.C. 1324d

Civil penalties for failure to depart.

INA 275

8 U.S.C. 1325

Improper entry by alien.

INA 276

8 U.S.C. 1326

Reentry of removed aliens.

INA 277

8 U.S.C. 1327

Aiding or assisting certain aliens to enter.

INA 278

8 U.S.C. 1328

Importation of alien for immoral purpose.

INA 279

8 U.S.C. 1329

Jurisdiction of district courts.

INA 280

8 U.S.C. 1330

Collection of penalties and expenses.

INA 281

8 U.S.C. 1351

Nonimmigrant visa fees.

INA 282

8 U.S.C. 1352

Printing of reentry permits and blank forms of manifest and crew lists; sale to public.

INA 283

8 U.S.C. 1353

Travel expenses and expense of transporting remains of officers and employees dying outside of United States.

INA 284

8 U.S.C. 1354

Applicability to members of the Armed Forces.

INA 285

8 U.S.C. 1355

Disposal of privileges at immigrant stations; rentals; retail sale; disposition of receipts.

INA 286

8 U.S.C. 1356

Disposition of moneys collected under the provisions of this subchapter.

INA 287

8 U.S.C. 1357

Powers of immigration officers and employees.

INA 288

8 U.S.C. 1358

Local jurisdiction over immigrant stations.

INA 289

8 U.S.C. 1359

Application to American Indians born in Canada.

INA 290

8 U.S.C. 1360

Establishment of central file; information from other departments and agencies.

INA 291

8 U.S.C. 1361

Burden of proof upon alien.

INA 292

8 U.S.C. 1362

Right to counsel.

INA 293

8 U.S.C. 1363

Deposit of and interest on cash received to secure immigration bonds.

INA 294

8 U.S.C. 1363a

Undercover investigation authority.

INA 295

8 U.S.C. 1363b

Repealed.

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Title III: Nationality and Naturalization

Immigration and
Nationality Act

U.S. Code

Title

INA 301

8 U.S.C. 1401

Nationals and citizens of United States at birth.

INA 302

8 U.S.C. 1402

Persons born in Puerto Rico on or after April 11, 1899.

INA 303

8 U.S.C. 1403

Persons born in the Canal Zone or Republic of Panama on or after February 26, 1904.

INA 304

8 U.S.C. 1404

Persons born in Alaska on or after March 30, 1867.

INA 305

8 U.S.C. 1405

Persons born in Hawaii.

INA 306

8 U.S.C. 1406

Persons living in and born in the Virgin Islands.

INA 307

8 U.S.C. 1407

Persons living in and born in Guam.

INA 308

8 U.S.C. 1408

Nationals but not citizens of the United States at birth.

INA 309

8 U.S.C. 1409

Children born out of wedlock.

INA 310

8 U.S.C. 1421

Naturalization authority.

INA 311

8 U.S.C. 1422

Eligibility for naturalization.

INA 312

8 U.S.C. 1423

Requirements as to understanding the English language, history, principles and form of government of the United States.

INA 313

8 U.S.C. 1424

Prohibition upon the naturalization of persons opposed to government or law, or who favor totalitarian forms of government.

INA 314

8 U.S.C. 1425

Ineligibility to naturalization of deserters from the Armed Forces.

INA 315

8 U.S.C. 1426

Citizenship denied alien relieved of service in Armed Forces because of alienage.

INA 316

8 U.S.C. 1427

Requirements of naturalization.

INA 317

8 U.S.C. 1428

Temporary absence of persons performing religious duties.

INA 318

8 U.S.C. 1429

Prerequisite to naturalization; burden of proof.

INA 319

8 U.S.C. 1430

Married persons and employees of certain nonprofit organizations.

INA 320

8 U.S.C. 1431

Children born outside the United States and residing permanently in the United States; conditions under which citizenship automatically acquired; determinations of name and birth date.

INA 321

8 U.S.C. 1432

Repealed.

INA 322

8 U.S.C. 1433

Children born and residing outside the United States; conditions for acquiring certificate of citizenship.

INA 323

8 U.S.C. 1434

Repealed.

INA 324

8 U.S.C. 1435

Former citizens regaining citizenship.

INA 325

8 U.S.C. 1436

Nationals but not citizens; residence within outlying possessions.

INA 326

8 U.S.C. 1437

Resident Philippine citizens excepted from certain requirements.

INA 327

8 U.S.C. 1438

Former citizens losing citizenship by entering armed forces of foreign countries during World War II.

INA 328

8 U.S.C. 1439

Naturalization through service in the armed forces.

INA 329

8 U.S.C. 1440

Naturalization through active-duty service in the Armed Forces during World War I, World War II, Korean hostilities, Vietnam hostilities, or other periods of military hostilities.

INA 329A

8 U.S.C. 1440-1

Posthumous citizenship through death while on active-duty service in armed forces during World War I, World War II, the Korean hostilities, the Vietnam hostilities, or in other periods of military hostilities.

INA 330

8 U.S.C. 1441

Constructive residence through service on certain United States vessels.

INA 331

8 U.S.C. 1442

Alien enemies.

INA 332

8 U.S.C. 1443

Administration.

INA 333

8 U.S.C. 1444

Photographs; number.

INA 334

8 U.S.C. 1445

Application for naturalization; declaration of intention.

INA 335

8 U.S.C. 1446

Investigation of applicants; examination of applications.

INA 336

8 U.S.C. 1447

Hearings on denials of applications for naturalization.

INA 337

8 U.S.C. 1448

Oath of renunciation and allegiance.

INA 338

8 U.S.C. 1449

Certificate of naturalization; contents.

INA 339

8 U.S.C. 1450

Functions and duties of clerks and records of declarations of intention and applications for naturalization.

INA 340

8 U.S.C. 1451

Revocation of naturalization.

INA 341

8 U.S.C. 1452

Certificates of citizenship or U.S. noncitizen national status; procedure.

INA 342

8 U.S.C. 1453

Cancellation of certificates issued by Attorney General, the Commissioner or a Deputy Commissioner; action not to affect citizenship status.

INA 343

8 U.S.C. 1454

Documents and copies issued by Attorney General.

INA 344

8 U.S.C. 1455

Fiscal provisions.

INA 345

8 U.S.C. 1456

Repealed.

INA 346

8 U.S.C. 1457

Publication and distribution of citizenship textbooks; use of naturalization fees.

INA 347

8 U.S.C. 1458

Compilation of naturalization statistics and payment for equipment.

INA 348

8 U.S.C. 1459

Repealed.

INA 349

8 U.S.C. 1481

Loss of nationality by native-born or naturalized citizen; voluntary action; burden of proof; presumptions.

INA 350

8 U.S.C. 1482

Repealed.

INA 351

8 U.S.C. 1483

Restrictions on loss of nationality.

INA 352

8 U.S.C. 1484

Repealed.

INA 353

8 U.S.C. 1485

Repealed.

INA 354

8 U.S.C. 1486

Repealed.

INA 355

8 U.S.C. 1487

Repealed.

INA 356

8 U.S.C. 1488

Nationality lost solely from performance of acts or fulfillment of conditions.

INA 357

8 U.S.C. 1489

Application of treaties; exceptions.

INA 358

8 U.S.C. 1501

Certificate of diplomatic or consular officer of United States as to loss of American nationality.

INA 359

8 U.S.C. 1502

Certificate of nationality issued by Secretary of State for person not a naturalized citizen of United States for use in proceedings of a foreign state.

INA 360

8 U.S.C. 1503

Denial of rights and privileges as national.

INA 361

8 U.S.C. 1504

Cancellation of United States passports and Consular Reports of Birth.

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Title IV: Refugee Assistance

Immigration and
Nationality Act

U.S. Code

Title

INA 401

No equivalent

Repealed.

INA 402

No equivalent

Omitted as executed.

INA 403

No equivalent

Omitted as executed.

INA 404

8 U.S.C. 1101, note

Authorization of Appropriations.

INA 405

8 U.S.C. 1101, note

Savings Clauses.

INA 406

8 U.S.C. 1101, note

Separability.

INA 407

8 U.S.C. 1101, note

Effective Date.

INA 411

8 U.S.C. 1521

Office of Refugee Resettlement; establishment; appointment of Director; functions.

INA 412

8 U.S.C. 1522

Authorization for programs for domestic resettlement of and assistance to refugees.

INA 413

8 U.S.C. 1523

Congressional reports.

INA 414

8 U.S.C. 1524

Authorization of appropriations.

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Title V: Alien Terrorist Removal Procedures

Immigration and
Nationality Act

U.S. Code

Title

INA 501

8 U.S.C. 1531

Definitions.

INA 502

8 U.S.C. 1532

Establishment of removal court.

INA 503

8 U.S.C. 1533

Removal court procedure.

INA 504

8 U.S.C. 1534

Removal hearing.

INA 505

8 U.S.C. 1535

Appeals.

INA 506

8 U.S.C. 1536

Custody and release pending removal hearing.

INA 507

8 U.S.C. 1537

Custody and release after removal hearing.

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