Functions of USCIS and Immigration and Naturalization Services

The Immigration and Naturalization Services (INS) was a part of the United States Department of Justice. This agency was authorized to manage all the issues related to immigration and naturalization. The agency aimed to protect and enforce the Naturalization laws. Later on INS was dispersed and divided into three new agencies. The three new agencies are United States Citizenship and Immigration services (USCIS), Customs Border and Protection (CBP), and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). These new agencies work under the US Department of Homeland Security.

The USCIS deals with all the services related to immigration such as Green Card, naturalization and other functions. Border functions including the border patrol are handled by the CBP. Investigations and issues related to deportation are administered by ICE.

Many people still use Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) in order to refer to the USCIS. But the INS does not exist. US Citizenship and Immigration Services is the name of the government agency that takes care of the American immigration and naturalization services.

The former functions of the INS are grouped under the three different agencies after the Homeland Security Act of 2002 came into law in 2003.

The INS grew during World War II and its responsibilities related to the nation's security increased at that time. INS kept track of all undocumented immigrants, legally. They also handled clearance for people who left the United States on defense duty. The INS restricted the undocumented immigrants from receiving social security benefits and employment opportunities in the United States. Such people who came to the United States illegally were arrested and deported by the INS.

The head of the INS was the commissioner who was appointed by the President and the commissioner reported to the Attorney General in the Department of Justice. INS worked with the US Department of State and the Department of Health and Human Services. This large organization had four main divisions such as programs, field operations, policy and planning, and management. These four divisions were responsible for the operation and management of the INS.

The administrative services that were previously carried out by the INS are now performed by the USCIS. United States CIS aims at overseeing lawful immigration to America. USCIS will see to that its customers are provided with accurate information related to citizenship and immigration benefits. Now there are 18,000 employees and contractors of the USCIS. They work at 250 U.S. CIS offices across the globe. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services strengthen the safety and integrity of the American immigration system and it also promotes flexible and reliable immigration policies.

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Prohibited Activities on a Visitor's Visa

Forbidden activities on a visitor's visa:

This is a list of forbidden activities while on a US visitor's visa. Please note that this list is not all inclusive.

Illegal Actions and overstaying your visit:

The rule of the United States of America with regard to all visa and overstaying abuses is one of "zero tolerance". Even if a visitor stays only one day past their visa expiry, imprisonment may result. If arrested for illegal activities this could include imprisonment, deportation and prohibited entry to the USA for up to 10 years.

Prospective Students The U.S. immigration law formerly allowed prospective students to enter first on a tourist visa, search for schools and convert to a student visa. This is not allowed any more. A student must first apply from their country of residence for an F-1 visa if he/she plans to study in the USA. Journalist Representatives of foreign press, radio, film, journalists or other media, cannot engage in that job while on a visitor's visa. They require a nonimmigrant media visa. Work Visitors are not authorized to work in the U.S. Therefore, it is unlawful to work at your family member's or anyone else's business, store, hotel, restaurant or at any other place, even if you are not getting any monetary compensation. Dual Intentions If you would like to get a visitor visa so that you can enter the U.S. and then study, work, start a business or get married, you will not get a visa if the consular officer finds out. Even if you get the visa by error, the consular officer at the port of entry may not allow you to enter the U.S., if he comes to recognize your dual intentions. Applicants may intend to stay in the U.S. permanently for various reasons such as: Adult children cannot get an immigrant visa along with parents because they aged out. Spouse is a green card holder. However, the F2A petition will take around five to six years to get accepted and the other partner would like to go to the U.S.A. to live with the green card holder. Students who would like to study in the U.S. but are incapable of showing sufficient financial resources to get a student visa. Those who don't have a respectable job or business in the home country. Yet, their relative in the U.S.A. has a store or business and they need a trustworthy employee. 55,000 Immigrant Visas for Foreign STEM Graduates   How to Select a Good Immigration Attorney?   Finding The Right Immigration Attorney   Do We Allow Free-Speech In Another Country Of An Individual Applying for Citizenship Here?   In Plain English: What Did The United States Supreme Court Do In The Arizona Immigration Case?