The INA (Immigration and Nationality Act) is a federal law that governs the immigration policies and procedures of the United States. It is the primary source of immigration law in the United States and it is found in Title 8 of the United States Code.

The United States Code (USC) is the official compilation and codification of the general federal laws of the United States. It is divided into titles that represent broad areas subject to federal regulation. Each title is further divided into chapters, which contain the individual laws or statutes.

The INA is found within Title 8 of the United States Code, and it is the Title 8 of the USC that is the primary source of immigration law in the United States. The INA outlines the procedures for obtaining immigration benefits, such as visas, green cards, and citizenship. It also includes provisions for enforcing immigration laws, and for the removal of individuals who are in the United States illegally.

Citations for the Immigration and Nationality Act and for United States Code are different. This means each section can be cited in two completely different ways, either by citing the section of the INA, or the corresponding section of the U.S.C, specifically Title 8.

The chart below identified the citations for each section of the INA.

Title I: General Provisions

Immigration and
Nationality Act
U.S. CodeTitle
INA 1018 U.S.C. 1101Definitions.
INA 1028 U.S.C. 1102Diplomatic and semidiplomatic immunities.
INA 1038 U.S.C. 1103Powers and duties of the Secretary, the Under Secretary, and the Attorney General.
INA 104    8 U.S.C. 1104Powers and duties of Secretary of State.
INA 1058 U.S.C. 1105Liaison with internal security officers; data exchange.
INA 1068 U.S.C. 1105aEmployment authorization for battered spouses of certain nonimmigrants.

Title II: Immigration

Immigration and
Nationality Act
U.S. CodeTitle
INA 2018 U.S.C. 1151Worldwide level of immigration.
INA 2028 U.S.C. 1152Numerical limitations on individual foreign states.
INA 2038 U.S.C. 1153Allocation of immigrant visas.
INA 2048 U.S.C. 1154Procedure for granting immigrant status.
INA 2058 U.S.C. 1155Revocation of approval of petitions; effective date.
INA 2068 U.S.C. 1156Unused immigrant visas.
INA 2078 U.S.C. 1157Annual admission of refugees and admission of emergency situation refugees.
INA 2088 U.S.C. 1158Asylum.
INA 2098 U.S.C. 1159Adjustment of status of refugees.
INA 2108 U.S.C. 1160Special agricultural workers.
INA 210A8 U.S.C. 1161Repealed.
INA 2118 U.S.C. 1181Admission of immigrants into the United States.
INA 2128 U.S.C. 1182Inadmissible aliens.
INA 2138 U.S.C. 1183Admission of aliens on giving bond or undertaking; return upon permanent departure.
INA 213A8 U.S.C. 1183aRequirements for sponsor’s affidavit of support.
INA 2148 U.S.C. 1184Admission of nonimmigrants.
INA 2158 U.S.C. 1185Travel control of citizens and aliens.
INA 2168 U.S.C. 1186aConditional permanent resident status for certain alien spouses and sons and daughters.
INA 216A8 U.S.C. 1186bConditional permanent resident status for certain alien entrepreneurs, spouses, and children.
INA 2178 U.S.C. 1187Visa waiver program for certain visitors.
INA 2188 U.S.C. 1188Admission of temporary H–2A workers.
INA 2198 U.S.C. 1189Designation of foreign terrorist organizations.
INA 2218 U.S.C. 1201Issuance of visas.
INA 2228 U.S.C. 1202Application for visas.
INA 2238 U.S.C. 1203Reentry permit.
INA 2248 U.S.C. 1204Immediate relative and special immigrant visas.
INA 2318 U.S.C. 1221Lists of alien and citizen passengers arriving and departing.
INA 2328 U.S.C. 1222Detention of aliens for physical and mental examination.
INA 2338 U.S.C. 1223Entry through or from foreign territory and adjacent islands.
INA 2348 U.S.C. 1224Designation of ports of entry for aliens arriving by aircraft.
INA 2358 U.S.C. 1225Inspection by immigration officers; expedited removal of inadmissible arriving aliens; referral for hearing.
INA 235A8 U.S.C. 1225aPreinspection at foreign airports.
INA 2368 U.S.C. 1226Apprehension and detention of aliens.
INA 236A8 U.S.C. 1226aMandatory detention of suspected terrorists; habeas corpus; judicial review.
INA 2378 U.S.C. 1227Deportable aliens.
INA 2388 U.S.C. 1228Expedited removal of aliens convicted of committing aggravated felonies.
INA 2398 U.S.C. 1229Initiation of removal proceedings.
INA 2408 U.S.C. 1229aRemoval proceedings.
INA 240A8 U.S.C. 1229bCancellation of removal; adjustment of status.
INA 240B8 U.S.C. 1229cVoluntary departure.
INA 240C8 U.S.C. 1230Records of admission.
INA 2418 U.S.C. 1231Detention and removal of aliens ordered removed.
INA 2428 U.S.C. 1252Judicial review of orders of removal.
INA 242A8 U.S.C. 1252aTransferred.
INA 242B8 U.S.C. 1252bRepealed.
INA 2438 U.S.C. 1253Penalties related to removal.
INA 2448 U.S.C. 1254aTemporary protected status.
INA 2458 U.S.C. 1255Adjustment of status of nonimmigrant to that of person admitted for permanent residence.
INA 245A8 U.S.C. 1255aAdjustment of status of certain entrants before January 1, 1982, to that of person admitted for lawful residence.
INA 2468 U.S.C. 1256Rescission of adjustment of status; effect upon naturalized citizen.
INA 2478 U.S.C. 1257Adjustment of status of certain resident aliens to nonimmigrant status; exceptions.
INA 2488 U.S.C. 1258Change of nonimmigrant classification.
INA 2498 U.S.C. 1259Record of admission for permanent residence in the case of certain aliens who entered the United States prior to January 1, 1972.
INA 2508 U.S.C. 1260Removal of aliens falling into distress.
INA 2518 U.S.C. 1281Alien crewmen.
INA 2528 U.S.C. 1282Conditional permits to land temporarily.
INA 2538 U.S.C. 1283Hospital treatment of alien crewmen afflicted with certain diseases.
INA 2548 U.S.C. 1284Control of alien crewmen.
INA 2558 U.S.C. 1285Employment on passenger vessels of aliens afflicted with certain disabilities.
INA 2568 U.S.C. 1286Discharge of alien crewmen; penalties.
INA 2578 U.S.C. 1287Alien crewmen brought into the United States with intent to evade immigration laws; penalties.
INA 2588 U.S.C. 1288Limitations on performance of longshore work by alien crewmen.
INA 2618 U.S.C. 1301Alien seeking entry; contents.
INA 2628 U.S.C. 1302Registration of aliens.
INA 2638 U.S.C. 1303Registration of special groups.
INA 2648 U.S.C. 1304Forms for registration and fingerprinting.
INA 2658 U.S.C. 1305Notices of change of address.
INA 2668 U.S.C. 1306Penalties.
INA 2718 U.S.C. 1321Prevention of unauthorized landing of aliens.
INA 2728 U.S.C. 1322Bringing in aliens subject to denial of admission on a health-related ground; persons liable; clearance papers; exceptions; “person” defined.
INA 2738 U.S.C. 1323Unlawful bringing of aliens into United States.
INA 2748 U.S.C. 1324Bringing in and harboring certain aliens.
INA 274A8 U.S.C. 1324aUnlawful employment of aliens.
INA 274B8 U.S.C. 1324bUnfair immigration-related employment practices.
INA 274C8 U.S.C. 1324cPenalties for document fraud.
INA 274D8 U.S.C. 1324dCivil penalties for failure to depart.
INA 2758 U.S.C. 1325Improper entry by alien.
INA 2768 U.S.C. 1326Reentry of removed aliens.
INA 2778 U.S.C. 1327Aiding or assisting certain aliens to enter.
INA 2788 U.S.C. 1328Importation of alien for immoral purpose.
INA 2798 U.S.C. 1329Jurisdiction of district courts.
INA 2808 U.S.C. 1330Collection of penalties and expenses.
INA 2818 U.S.C. 1351Nonimmigrant visa fees.
INA 2828 U.S.C. 1352Printing of reentry permits and blank forms of manifest and crew lists; sale to public.
INA 2838 U.S.C. 1353Travel expenses and expense of transporting remains of officers and employees dying outside of United States.
INA 2848 U.S.C. 1354Applicability to members of the Armed Forces.
INA 2858 U.S.C. 1355Disposal of privileges at immigrant stations; rentals; retail sale; disposition of receipts.
INA 2868 U.S.C. 1356Disposition of moneys collected under the provisions of this subchapter.
INA 2878 U.S.C. 1357Powers of immigration officers and employees.
INA 2888 U.S.C. 1358Local jurisdiction over immigrant stations.
INA 2898 U.S.C. 1359Application to American Indians born in Canada.
INA 2908 U.S.C. 1360Establishment of central file; information from other departments and agencies.
INA 2918 U.S.C. 1361Burden of proof upon alien.
INA 2928 U.S.C. 1362Right to counsel.
INA 2938 U.S.C. 1363Deposit of and interest on cash received to secure immigration bonds.
INA 2948 U.S.C. 1363aUndercover investigation authority.
INA 2958 U.S.C. 1363bRepealed.

Title III: Nationality and Naturalization:

Immigration and
Nationality Act
U.S. CodeTitle
INA 3018 U.S.C. 1401Nationals and citizens of United States at birth.
INA 3028 U.S.C. 1402Persons born in Puerto Rico on or after April 11, 1899.
INA 3038 U.S.C. 1403Persons born in the Canal Zone or Republic of Panama on or after February 26, 1904.
INA 3048 U.S.C. 1404Persons born in Alaska on or after March 30, 1867.
INA 3058 U.S.C. 1405Persons born in Hawaii.
INA 3068 U.S.C. 1406Persons living in and born in the Virgin Islands.
INA 3078 U.S.C. 1407Persons living in and born in Guam.
INA 3088 U.S.C. 1408Nationals but not citizens of the United States at birth.
INA 3098 U.S.C. 1409Children born out of wedlock.
INA 3108 U.S.C. 1421Naturalization authority.
INA 3118 U.S.C. 1422Eligibility for naturalization.
INA 3128 U.S.C. 1423Requirements as to understanding the English language, history, principles and form of government of the United States.
INA 3138 U.S.C. 1424Prohibition upon the naturalization of persons opposed to government or law, or who favor totalitarian forms of government.
INA 3148 U.S.C. 1425Ineligibility to naturalization of deserters from the Armed Forces.
INA 3158 U.S.C. 1426Citizenship denied alien relieved of service in Armed Forces because of alienage.
INA 3168 U.S.C. 1427Requirements of naturalization.
INA 3178 U.S.C. 1428Temporary absence of persons performing religious duties.
INA 3188 U.S.C. 1429Prerequisite to naturalization; burden of proof.
INA 3198 U.S.C. 1430Married persons and employees of certain nonprofit organizations.
INA 3208 U.S.C. 1431Children 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 3218 U.S.C. 1432Repealed.
INA 3228 U.S.C. 1433Children born and residing outside the United States; conditions for acquiring certificate of citizenship.
INA 3238 U.S.C. 1434Repealed.
INA 3248 U.S.C. 1435Former citizens regaining citizenship.
INA 3258 U.S.C. 1436Nationals but not citizens; residence within outlying possessions.
INA 3268 U.S.C. 1437Resident Philippine citizens excepted from certain requirements.
INA 3278 U.S.C. 1438Former citizens losing citizenship by entering armed forces of foreign countries during World War II.
INA 3288 U.S.C. 1439Naturalization through service in the armed forces.
INA 3298 U.S.C. 1440Naturalization 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 329A8 U.S.C. 1440-1Posthumous 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 3308 U.S.C. 1441Constructive residence through service on certain United States vessels.
INA 3318 U.S.C. 1442Alien enemies.
INA 3328 U.S.C. 1443Administration.
INA 3338 U.S.C. 1444Photographs; number.
INA 3348 U.S.C. 1445Application for naturalization; declaration of intention.
INA 3358 U.S.C. 1446Investigation of applicants; examination of applications.
INA 3368 U.S.C. 1447Hearings on denials of applications for naturalization.
INA 3378 U.S.C. 1448Oath of renunciation and allegiance.
INA 3388 U.S.C. 1449Certificate of naturalization; contents.
INA 3398 U.S.C. 1450Functions and duties of clerks and records of declarations of intention and applications for naturalization.
INA 3408 U.S.C. 1451Revocation of naturalization.
INA 3418 U.S.C. 1452Certificates of citizenship or U.S. noncitizen national status; procedure.
INA 3428 U.S.C. 1453Cancellation of certificates issued by Attorney General, the Commissioner or a Deputy Commissioner; action not to affect citizenship status.
INA 3438 U.S.C. 1454Documents and copies issued by Attorney General.
INA 3448 U.S.C. 1455Fiscal provisions.
INA 3458 U.S.C. 1456Repealed.
INA 3468 U.S.C. 1457Publication and distribution of citizenship textbooks; use of naturalization fees.
INA 3478 U.S.C. 1458Compilation of naturalization statistics and payment for equipment.
INA 3488 U.S.C. 1459Repealed.
INA 3498 U.S.C. 1481Loss of nationality by native-born or naturalized citizen; voluntary action; burden of proof; presumptions.
INA 3508 U.S.C. 1482Repealed.
INA 3518 U.S.C. 1483Restrictions on loss of nationality.
INA 3528 U.S.C. 1484Repealed.
INA 3538 U.S.C. 1485Repealed.
INA 3548 U.S.C. 1486Repealed.
INA 3558 U.S.C. 1487Repealed.
INA 3568 U.S.C. 1488Nationality lost solely from performance of acts or fulfillment of conditions.
INA 3578 U.S.C. 1489Application of treaties; exceptions.
INA 3588 U.S.C. 1501Certificate of diplomatic or consular officer of United States as to loss of American nationality.
INA 3598 U.S.C. 1502Certificate 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 3608 U.S.C. 1503Denial of rights and privileges as national.
INA 3618 U.S.C. 1504Cancellation of United States passports and Consular Reports of Birth.

Title IV: Refugee Assistance

Immigration and
Nationality Act
U.S. CodeTitle
INA 401No equivalentRepealed.
INA 402No equivalentOmitted as executed.
INA 403No equivalentOmitted as executed.
INA 4048 U.S.C. 1101, noteAuthorization of Appropriations.
INA 4058 U.S.C. 1101, noteSavings Clauses.
INA 4068 U.S.C. 1101, noteSeparability.
INA 4078 U.S.C. 1101, noteEffective Date.
INA 4118 U.S.C. 1521Office of Refugee Resettlement; establishment; appointment of Director; functions.
INA 4128 U.S.C. 1522Authorization for programs for domestic resettlement of and assistance to refugees.
INA 4138 U.S.C. 1523Congressional reports.
INA 4148 U.S.C. 1524Authorization of appropriations.

Title V: Alien Terrorist Removal Procedures

Immigration and
Nationality Act
U.S. CodeTitle
INA 5018 U.S.C. 1531Definitions.
INA 5028 U.S.C. 1532Establishment of removal court.
INA 5038 U.S.C. 1533Removal court procedure.
INA 5048 U.S.C. 1534Removal hearing.
INA 5058 U.S.C. 1535Appeals.
INA 5068 U.S.C. 1536Custody and release pending removal hearing.
INA 5078 U.S.C. 1537Custody and release after removal hearing.