What Is the USCIS? US Citizenship & Immigration Services Information

If you are seeking to live or work in the United States, or if you wish to become a permanent citizen of the United States, you will be working closely with United States Citizen & Immigration Services (USCIS) throughout the process of securing your visa or green card. But what is the USCIS and what functions do they serve?

The USCIS is a government agency that is overseen by the Department of Homeland Security. The organization was created in 2003 and in the wake of 9/11 by President George W. Bush after many officials pointed out extensive flaws in the former immigration agency, the United States Immigration & Naturalization Service, which was overseen by the Department of Justice. The first director of the USCIS was Eduardo Aguirre. Currently, the director of the USCIS is Alejandro Mayorkas, who has served since 2009.

The USCIS employs about 18,000 people in 250 offices around the world.

What does the USCIS do?
Here are just some of the services that the USCIS provides:

• The USCIS grants United States citizenship and permanent residence.
• The USCIS helps foreigners secure visas and work in the United States.
• The USCIS helps foreign family members of U.S. citizens immigrate.
• The USCIS helps foreigners displaced by war, natural disasters, and other issues.
• The USCIS aides in foreign adoptions.
• The USCIS organizes citizenship training and naturalization.
• The USCIS helps prevent foreign security issues.
• The USCIS provides a number of immigration services.

When immigrating to the Untied States and applying for a visa or green card, the USCIS will process your applications and examine your documents. The relatively new government agency states that it is dedicated to handling these applications thoroughly and efficiently.

Would you like to live, work, or study in the United States, but aren't sure about the process of securing a visa? The California immigration lawyers at the Law Offices of Vaughan de Kirby can help. Contact us today and begin your visa application process today.