History of USCIS
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) is the United States Department of Homeland Security agency that oversees the country’s naturalization and immigration system. The system established its roots when federal oversight of immigration began in 1891 when Congress created the first Office of Immigration in the Treasury Department. Immigration grew over the late 1800s and early 1900s, and accordingly, so did the duties of the federal immigration sector. In 1906, United States lawmakers sought to reform the country’s pathway to citizenship, and the Bureau of Immigration added oversight of naturalization to its list of responsibilities.
The Great Depression in 1933 also brought large changes to the country’s immigration system. As a result, President Franklin D. Roosevelt ordered that the federal immigration and naturalization functions consolidate into what became the Immigration and Naturalization Service (“INS”). INS became in charge of overseeing the immigration process, border patrol activities, and enforcement of the respective laws until 2002, when Congress passed the Homeland Security Act of 2002. This act dissolved the INS and replaced it with three sectors: USCIS, Immigration, and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”), and Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”). On March 1, 2003, USCIS was formed and took responsibility for immigration matters of the federal government. Its purpose upon its founding was to enhance the efficiency, security, and safety of the nation’s immigration services.
Who’s in Charge?
Since the USCIS was formed, the agency has always been led by a “Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.”
- 2003-2005: Eduardo Aguirre
- 2005-2009: Emilio T. Gonzalez
- 2009-2013: Alejandro Mayorkas
- 2014-2017: Leon Rodriguez
- 2017-2019: L. Francis Cissna
On August 3, 2021, the Biden administration appointed Ur Mendoza Jaddou as director of the USCIS. Jaddou formerly served as chief counsel at USCIS from 2014-2017.
Functions
The USCIS has many responsibilities, including processing documents such as visa petitions, asylum applications, naturalization applications, adjustment of status (aka green cards) applications, and refugee applications. The sector is also in charge of issuing employment authorization documents and actively overseeing immigration services and benefits. USCIS also hosts many offices across the country, so duties that maintain these centers include customer service among the various channels and centers.
Contacting USCIS
The USCIS provides many outlets by which you can contact them for questions regarding the immigration process, forms, and application status. You can access the USCIS website. The site allows you to create an account, chat with automated virtual assistants and live assistants, and further provides information on reaching them via phone or in-person at a USCIS office.
Finding Your Local USCIS Office
Different USCIS offices are set up to handle different matters. Field Offices, located inside the United States, handle interviews for non-asylum applicants and can provide applicant services and information. Asylum Offices are responsible for asylum-related issues only. International Offices provide services to U.S. Citizens, permanent residents, and other individuals visiting or residing outside the country who may need assistance in immigration matters. Other offices include the Administrative Appeals Offices, Application Support Centers, and the National Records Center.
The USCIS is an important agency that governs immigration and naturalization processes and is the most knowledgeable in this area. In addition to the USCIS, immigration attorneys also play an important role in helping individuals with their immigration needs, questions, applications, and concerns. Christopher Laizure Metz is a practicing lawyer who has assisted many individuals in their immigration matters. For further assistance or if you have questions regarding immigration processes, contact
Laizure Metz Legal Services at Christopher@laizuremetzlegal.com or (347) 625-7854.