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IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT 

 

Updated Through March 22, 2004 

 

 

INA: TITLE I 

 

ACT 101     Definitions 

 

ACT 102     Applicability of Title II to certain Nonimmigrants 

 

ACT 103     Powers and duties of the Attorney General and the Commissioner. 

 

ACT 104     Powers and duties of the Secretary of State 

 

ACT 105     Liaison with internal security officers. 

 

ACT 106     Repealed 

 

INA: TITLE II -- IMMIGRATION 

 

CHAPTER 1 - SELECTION SYSTEM 

 

ACT 201     Worldwide level of immigration. 

 

ACT 202     Numerical limitation to any single foreign state. 

 

ACT 203     Allocation of immigrant visas. 

 

ACT 204     Procedure for granting immigrant status. 

 

ACT 205     Revocation of approval of petitions. 

 

ACT 206     Unused immigrant visas. 

 

ACT 207     Annual admission of refugees and admission of emergency situation refugees. 

 

ACT 208     Asylum 

 

ACT 209     Adjustment of status of refugees. 

 

ACT 210     Special agricultural workers. 

 

ACT 210A     Repealed 

 

CHAPTER 2 -- QUALIFICATIONS FOR ADMISSION OF ALIENS; TRAVEL CONTROL OF CITIZENS AND ALIENS 

 

ACT 211     Documentary requirements. 

 

ACT 212     General classes of aliens ineligible to receive visas and ineligible for admission; waivers of inadmissibility. 

 

ACT 213     Admission of certain aliens on giving bond. 

 

ACT 213A     Requirements for sponsor's affidavit of support. 

 

ACT 214     Admission of nonimmigrants. 

 

ACT 215     Travel documentation of aliens and citizens. 

 

ACT 216     Conditional permanent resident status for certain alien spouses and sons and daughters. 

 

ACT 216A     Conditional permanent resident status for certain alien entrepreneurs, spouses, and children. 

 

ACT 217     Visa waiver program for certain visitors. 

 

ACT 218     Admission of temporary H - 2A workers. 

 

ACT 219     Designation of foreign terrorist organization 

 

CHAPTER 3 -- ISSUANCE OF ENTRY DOCUMENTS 

 

ACT 221     Issuance of visas. 

 

ACT 222     Applications for visas. 

 

ACT 223     Reentry permits. 

 

ACT 224     Immediate relative and special immigrant visas. 

 

CHAPTER 4 -- INSPECTION, APPREHENSION, EXAMINATION, EXCLUSION, AND REMOVAL  

 

ACT 231     Lists of alien and citizen passengers arriving or departing; record of resident aliens and citizens leaving permanently for foreign country. 

 

ACT 232     Detention of aliens for observation and examination. 

 

ACT 233     Entry through or form foreign territory and adjacent islands; landing stations. 

 

ACT 234     Designation of ports of entry for aliens arriving by civil aircraft. 

 

ACT 235     Inspection by immigration officers; expedited removal of inadmissible arriving aliens; referral for hearing. 

 

ACT 235A     Preinspection at foreign airports. 

 

ACT 236     Apprehension and detention of aliens. 

 

ACT 236A     Mandatory Detention of Suspected Terrorists; Habeas Corpus; Judicial Review 

 

ACT 237     General classes of deportable aliens. 

 

ACT 238     Expedited removal of aliens convicted of committing aggravated felonies. 

 

ACT 239     Initiation of removal proceedings. 

 

ACT 240     Removal proceedings 

 

ACT 240A     Cancellation of removal; adjustment of status. 

 

ACT 240B     Voluntary departure. 

 

ACT 240C     Records of admission. 

 

ACT 241     Detention and removal of aliens ordered removed. 

 

ACT 242     Judicial review of orders of removal 

 

ACT 242A     Redesignated 

 

ACT 242B     Repealed 

 

ACT 243     Penalties related to removal 

 

ACT 244     Temporary protected status 

 

 

CHAPTER 5 -- ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS 

 

ACT 245     Adjustment of status of nonimmigrant to that of person admitted for permanent residence. 

 

ACT 245A     Adjustment of status of certain entrants before January 1, 1982, to that of person admitted for lawful residence 

 

ACT 246     Rescission of adjustment of status 

 

ACT 247     Adjustment of status of certain resident aliens to nonimmigrant status 

 

ACT 248     Change of nonimmigrant classification 

 

ACT 249     Record of admission for permanent residence in the case of certain aliens who entered the United States prior to July 1, 1924 or January 1, 1972 

 

ACT 250     Removal of aliens who have fallen into distress 

 

CHAPTER 6 -- SPECIAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO ALIEN CREWMEN 

 

ACT 251     Lists of alien crewmen; reports of illegal landings 

 

ACT 252     Conditional permits to land temporarily 

 

ACT 253     Hospital treatment of alien crewmen afflicted with certain diseases 

 

ACT 254     Control of alien crewmen 

 

ACT 255     Employment on passenger vessels of aliens afflicted with certain disabilities 

 

ACT 256     Discharge of alien crewmen 

 

ACT 257     Bringing alien crewmen into United States with intent to evade immigration laws 

 

ACT 258     Limitations on performance of longshore work by alien crewmen 

 

CHAPTER 7 -- REGISTRATION OF ALIENS 

 

ACT 261     Aliens seeking entry into the United States 

 

ACT 262     Registration of aliens in the United States 

 

ACT 263     Provisions governing registration of special groups 

 

ACT 264     Forms and procedure 

 

ACT 265     Notices of change of address 

 

ACT 266     Penalties 

 

CHAPTER 8 -- GENERAL PENALTY PROVISIONS 

 

ACT 271     Prevention of unauthorized landing of aliens 

 

ACT 272     Bringing in aliens subject to exclusion on a health-related ground 

 

ACT 273     Unlawful bringing of aliens into United States 

 

ACT 274     Bringing in and harboring certain aliens 

 

ACT 274A     Unlawful employment of aliens 

 

ACT 274B     Unfair immigration-related employment practices 

 

ACT 274C     Penalties for document fraud 


ACT 274D     Civil penalties for failure to depart
 

ACT 275     Entry of alien at improper time or place; misrepresentation and concealment of facts 

 

ACT 276     Reentry of removed alien 

 

ACT 277     Aiding or assisting certain aliens to enter the United States 

 

ACT 278     Importation of alien for immoral purpose 

 

ACT 279     Jurisdiction of district courts 

 

ACT 280     Collection of penalties and expenses 

 

CHAPTER 9 -- MISCELLANEOUS 

 

ACT 281     Nonimmigrant visa fees 

 

ACT 282     Printing of reentry permits and blank forms of manifests and crew lists 

 

ACT 283     Travel expenses and expense of transporting remains of immigration officers and employees who die outside of the United States 

 

ACT 284     Members of the Armed Forces 

 

ACT 285     Disposal of privileges at immigrant stations 

 

ACT 286     Disposition of moneys collected under the provisions of this title 

 

ACT 287     Powers of immigration officers and employees 

 

ACT 288     Local jurisdiction over immigrant stations 

 

ACT 289     American Indians born in Canada 

 

ACT 290     Central file; information from other departments and agencies 

 

ACT 291.     Burden of proof 

 

ACT 292     Right to counsel 

 

ACT 293     Deposit of and interest on cash received to secure immigration bonds 

 

ACT 294     Undercover investigation authority 

 

ACT 295     Transportation of remains of immigration officers and border patrol agents killed in the line of duty 

 

INA: TITLE III  

 

CHAPTER 1 -- NATIONALITY AT BIRTH AND BY COLLECTIVE NATURALIZATION 

 

ACT 301     Nationals and citizens of the United States at birth 

 

ACT 302     Persons born in Puerto Rico 

 

ACT 303     Persons born in the Canal Zone or Republic of Panama on or after February 26, 1904 

 

ACT 304     Persons born in Alaska on or after March 30, 1867 

 

ACT 305     Persons born in Hawaii 

 

ACT 306     Persons living in and born in the Virgin Islands 

 

ACT 307     Persons living in and born in Guam 

 

ACT 308     Nationals but not citizens of the United States at birth 

 

ACT 309     Children born out of wedlock 

 

CHAPTER 2 -- NATIONALITY THROUGH NATURALIZATION 

 

ACT 310     Naturalization authority 

 

ACT 311     Eligibility for naturalization 

 

ACT 312     Requirements as to understanding the English language, history, principles and form of government of the United States 

 

ACT 313     Prohibition upon the naturalization of persons opposed to government or law, or who favor totalitarian forms of government 

 

ACT 314     Ineligibility to naturalization of deserters from the Armed Forces of the United States 

 

ACT 315     Alien relieved from training and service in the Armed Forces of the United States because of alienage barred from citizenship 

 

ACT 316     Requirements as to residence, good moral character, attachment to the principles of the Constitution, and favorable disposition to the United States 

 

ACT 317     Temporary absence of persons performing religious duties 

 

ACT 318     Prerequisites to naturalization -- burden of proof 

 

ACT 319     Married persons and employees of certain nonprofit organizations 

 

ACT 320     Children born outside the United States and residing permanently in the United States; conditions under which citizenship automatically acquired  

 

ACT 321     [Repealed] 

 

ACT 322     Children born and residing outside the United States; conditions for acquiring certificate of citizenship 

 

ACT 323     Repealed 

 

ACT 324     Former citizens of United States regaining United States citizenship 

 

ACT 325     Nationals but not citizens of the United States; residence within outlying possessions 

 

ACT 326     Resident Philippine citizens excepted from certain requirements 

 

ACT 327     Former United States citizens losing citizenship by entering the armed forces of foreign countries during World War II 

 

ACT 328     Naturalization through service in the Armed Forces of the United States 

 

ACT 329     Naturalization through active-duty service in the Armed Forces during World War I, World War II, the Korean hostilities, the Vietnam hostilities, or in other periods of military hostilities 

 

ACT 329A     Posthumous citizenship through death while on active-duty service in the armed forces during World War I, World War II, the Korean hostilities, the Vietnam hostilities, or in other periods of military hostilities 

 

ACT 330     Constructive residence through service on certain United States vessels 

 

ACT 331     Alien enemies; naturalization under specified conditions and procedure 

 

ACT 332     Procedural and administrative provisions; executive functions 

 

ACT 333     Photographs 

 

ACT 334     Application for naturalization; declaration of intention 

 

ACT 335     Investigation of applicants; examination of applications 

 

ACT 336     Hearings on denials of applications for naturalization 

 

ACT 337     Oath of renunciation and allegiance 

 

ACT 338     Certificate of naturalization; contents 

 

ACT 339     Functions and duties of clerks and records of declarations of intention and applications for naturalization 

 

ACT 340     Revocation of naturalization 

 

ACT 341     Certificates of citizenship or U.S. non-citizen national status; procedure 

 

ACT 342     Cancellation of certificates issued by the Attorney General, the Commissioner or a Deputy Commissioner; action not to affect citizenship status 

 

ACT 343     Documents and copies issued by the Attorney General 

 

ACT 344     Fiscal provisions 

 

ACT 345     Repealed 

 

ACT 346     Authorization granted for publication and distribution of citizenship textbooks from naturalization fees 

 

ACT 347     Compilation of naturalization statistics and payment for equipment 

 

ACT 348     Repealed 

 

CHAPTER 3 -- LOSS OF NATIONALITY 

 

ACT 349     Loss of nationality by native-born or naturalized citizen 

 

ACT 350     Repealed 

 

ACT 351     Restrictions on loss of nationality 

 

ACT 352     Repealed 

 

ACT 353     Repealed 

 

ACT 354     Repealed 

 

ACT 355     Repealed 

 

ACT 356     Nationality lost solely from performance of acts or fulfillment of conditions 

 

ACT 357     Application of treaties; exceptions 

 

CHAPTER 4 -- MISCELLANEOUS 

 

ACT 358     Certificate of diplomatic or consular officer of the United States as to loss of American nationality under Chapter IV, Nationality Act of 1940, or under Chapter 3 of this title  

 

ACT 359     Certificate of nationality for a person not a naturalized citizen for use in proceedings of a foreign state 

 

ACT 360     Judicial proceedings for declaration of United States nationality in event of denial of rights and privileges as national 

 

ACT 361     Cancellation of United States passports and Consular Reports of Birth 

 

INA: TITLE IV 

 

CHAPTER 1 -- MISCELLANEOUS 

 

ACT 401     Repealed 

 

ACT 402     Omitted as executed 

 

ACT 403     Omitted as executed 

 

ACT 404     Authorization of appropriations 

 

ACT 405     Savings clauses 

 

ACT 406     Separability 

 

ACT 407     Effective date 

 

CHAPTER 2 -- REFUGEE ASSISTANCE 

 

ACT 411     Office of Refugee Resettlement 

 

ACT 412     Authorization for programs for domestic resettlement of and assistance to refugees 

 

ACT 413     Congressional reports 

 

ACT 414     Authorization of appropriations 

 

TITLE V - ALIEN TERRORIST REMOVAL PROCEDURES 

 

ACT 501     Definitions 

 

ACT 502     Establishment of removal court 

 

ACT 503     Removal court procedure 

 

ACT 504     Removal Hearing 

 

ACT 505     Appeals 

 

ACT 506     Custody and release pending removal hearing 

 

ACT 507     Custody and release after removal hearing
 



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ACRONYMS 

 

 

IMMACT is the Immigration Act of 1990, Pub. L. 101-649, Stat. (November 29, 1990). 

 

VCCLEA is the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, Pub. L. 103-322, 108 Stat. 1796 (September 13, 1994). 

 

INTC is the Immigration and Naturalization Technical Corrections of 1994, Pub. L. 103-416, Stat. (October 25, 1994). 

 

MTINA is the Miscellaneous and Technical Immigration and Naturalization Amendments of 1991, Pub. L. 102-232, 105 Stat. 1733. (December 12, 1991). 

 

AEDPA is the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996, Pub. L. 104-132, 110 Stat. 1214 (April 24, 1996). 

 

IIRIRA is the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsiblity Act of 1996, Pub. L. 104-208, 110 Stat. 3009 (September 30, 1996). 

 

 

 

 

 

TITLE I 

 

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