Nationality Act of 1940

The Nationality Act of 1940 was a U.S. law that defined citizenship and established the processes for gaining and losing it. It clarified that U.S. citizens could be born in the country or naturalized through immigration. The act also addressed citizenship for children born abroad and allowed certain groups, like veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces, easier pathways to citizenship. Importantly, it marked a shift toward a clearer legal framework for nationality, recognizing the rights and responsibilities of citizens, while also including provisions for the loss of citizenship under specific circumstances.