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.

Immigration and Nationality Act	U.S. Code	Title
INA 101	8 U.S.C. 1101	Definitions.
INA 102	8 U.S.C. 1102	Diplomatic and semidiplomatic immunities.
INA 103	8 U.S.C. 1103	Powers and duties of the Secretary, the Under Secretary, and the Attorney General.
INA 104	8 U.S.C. 1104	Powers and duties of Secretary of State.
INA 105	8 U.S.C. 1105	Liaison with internal security officers; data exchange.
INA 106	8 U.S.C. 1105a	Employment authorization for battered spouses of certain nonimmigrants.

Back to the top

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INA 210A	8 U.S.C. 1161	Repealed.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.

Back to the top

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.

Back to the top

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.

Back to the top

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.

Back to the top

Last Reviewed/Updated:

07/10/2019

Topics

Family

Adoption

Military

Humanitarian

Visit the U.S.

Working in the United States

Avoid Scams

Careers at USCIS

Forms

Most Accessed Forms

All Forms

File Online

Family Based Forms

Employment Based Forms

Humanitarian Based Forms

Newsroom

All News

Media Contacts

Multimedia Gallery

Social Media Directory

Speeches, Statements, Testimony

Citizenship

Learners

Educators

Organizations

Grants

Green Card

Green Card Processes and Procedures

Green Card Eligibility Categories

How to Apply for a Green Card

Replace Your Green Card

While Your Green Card Application Is Pending with USCIS

Laws

Legislation

Class Action, Settlement Notices and Agreements

Unlawful Presence and Inadmissibility

Policy Manual

Regulations

Administrative Appeals

Tools

Self-Help Tools

Website Resources

Additional Resources

Immigration and Nationality Act