Legal Definitions - Nationality Act

Definition: The Nationality Act is a law that governs the acquisition and loss of citizenship in the United States. It is also known as the Immigration and Nationality Act.

Example: If a person is born in the United States, they are automatically a U.S. citizen under the Nationality Act. However, if a person is born outside of the United States to non-U.S. citizen parents, they may still be eligible for U.S. citizenship if certain requirements are met.

Explanation: The Nationality Act outlines the rules and regulations for becoming a U.S. citizen, including the requirements for birthright citizenship and naturalization. The example illustrates how the law applies to individuals who are born in the U.S. versus those who are born outside of the country.