United States Citizenship and Immigration Services

USCIS logo English

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is an agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that administers the country's naturalization and immigration system. It is responsible for processing immigration and naturalization applications and establishing policies regarding these functions.

History

USCIS was formed on March 1, 2003, following the passage of the Homeland Security Act of 2002. This act disbanded the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) and separated its functions into three agencies under DHS: USCIS for immigration services, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for immigration enforcement, and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for border security.

Functions

The primary role of USCIS is to oversee lawful immigration to the United States. This includes:

• Processing immigrant visa petitions
• Naturalization petitions
• Asylum and refugee applications
• Making adjudicative decisions performed at the service centers, and
• Managing all other immigration benefits functions.

USCIS also works to promote national security, eliminate immigration case backlogs, and improve customer services. Furthermore, the agency is involved in administering the E-Verify program, which allows employers to verify the employment eligibility of their employees.

Structure

USCIS is headed by a Director, who reports directly to the Secretary of Homeland Security. The agency is divided into several divisions, each responsible for specific aspects of the immigration process. These include the Office of Policy and Strategy, the Office of Field Operations, the Office of Information Technology, and the Office of Administrative Appeals, among others.

Application Processes

USCIS manages a wide range of application processes for individuals seeking to immigrate to the United States, either temporarily or permanently. Some of the most common applications include:

• Form I-485 for Adjustment of Status
• Form N-400 for Naturalization
• Form I-130 for Petition for Alien Relative
• Form I-129 for Nonimmigrant Worker Petition
• Form I-765 for Application for Employment Authorization

Challenges and Criticisms

USCIS has faced various challenges, including long processing times for immigration applications and naturalization, high application fees, and backlogs of pending cases. Critics argue that these issues hinder the ability of the United States to attract and retain skilled immigrants and to provide humanitarian relief in a timely manner.

Recent Developments

In recent years, USCIS has implemented several policy changes aimed at improving efficiency and reducing backlogs. These include modernizing information technology systems, expanding online filing options, and increasing transparency through data publication.

See Also

• Immigration to the United States
• Green card
• Visa policy of the United States