One of the most influential aspects of the Fourteenth Amendment was that it brought the idea of equal protection. It officially stated that all humans are born with natural rights, and that the federal government should recognize this. Yet, the government should also take special and necessary precautions to protect the people that actually live in its jurisdiction. Not only that, but it reimbursed slave owners for freeing their slaves, encouraging others to do the same. Also, it gave Congress the power to impose and execute this amendment. A con to it was that it did not apply to Native Americans because they abide by tribal law. Many Native Americans became citizens through marriage, treaties, or military service, and assumed citizenship through the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924.