The act is intended to regulate the naturalization process and encourage immigration to the American colonies. Within Britain, naturalization requires a profession of Christian faith and proof that an individual had taken the Sacrament in a Protestant church. In the colonies, an exception will be made for Quakers and Jewish people, but specifically not made for Roman Catholics (referred to in the law as "Papists"). The oath and pledge of allegiance used within the U.S. Naturalization Act will be based on this legislation.