USCIS is a federal agency under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that administers the nation’s lawful immigration system. USCIS ensures the lawful entry, legal status, and productive integration of immigrants and refugees into the United States.
USCIS has a wide range of responsibilities, including:
- Administering the naturalization process for individuals who want to become US citizens
- Granting visas to foreign nationals who want to come to the United States temporarily or permanently
- Administering the employment-based immigration system
- Overseeing the enforcement of immigration laws
- Providing information and resources to immigrants and their families
USCIS is a complex agency with a lot of moving parts. If you are considering immigrating to the United States, it is important to understand the role of USCIS and how it can help you achieve your immigration goals.
Here are some of the key services that USCIS provides:
- Naturalization: USCIS administers the naturalization process for individuals who want to become US citizens. The naturalization process includes filing an application, passing an English and civics test, and paying a fee.
- Immigration benefits: USCIS grants visas to foreign nationals who want to come to the United States temporarily or permanently. Visas are granted based on a variety of factors, including family relationships, employment, and education.
- Employment-based immigration: USCIS oversees the employment-based immigration system. This system allows employers to sponsor foreign nationals for visas if they can demonstrate that there are no qualified US workers available to fill the position.
- Enforcement: USCIS enforces immigration laws. This includes investigating and apprehending individuals who are in the United States illegally.
- Information and resources: USCIS provides information and resources to immigrants and their families. This includes information about the naturalization process, immigration benefits, and employment-based immigration.
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- History: USCIS was created in 2003 by the Homeland Security Act. The agency was formed by merging the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) and the former United States Border Patrol.
- Mission: The mission of USCIS is to “secure the nation while managing legal immigration.”
- Organization: USCIS is organized into four main operating units:
- Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS): CIS is responsible for administering the naturalization process and granting visas to foreign nationals.
- Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO): ERO is responsible for enforcing immigration laws and apprehending individuals who are in the United States illegally.
- Fraud Detection and National Security (FDNS): FDNS is responsible for detecting and preventing fraud in the immigration system.
- Policy and Planning (PP): PP is responsible for developing and implementing policy for USCIS.
- Budget: The budget for USCIS is approximately $8 billion per year.
- Employees: USCIS has approximately 19,000 employees.
USCIS is a critical agency for the United States. The agency plays a vital role in ensuring the lawful entry and legal status of immigrants and refugees in the United States. USCIS also plays a role in protecting national security by enforcing immigration laws and apprehending individuals who are in the United States illegally.
If you are considering immigrating to the United States, it is important to understand the role of USCIS and how it can help you achieve your immigration goals. You can contact USCIS by phone, email, or through their website to learn more about the services that they offer.