How the Department of Immigration and Naturalization Services Works
Navigating the U.S. immigration system can feel complicated, especially when you are applying for permanent residence, citizenship, or another immigration benefit. Many people still use the phrase “Department of Immigration and Naturalization Services” when referring to the government agency responsible for immigration and citizenship matters. Today, the federal agency that handles most of these applications is the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) , a component of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. USCIS replaced the former Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) in 2003. Understanding how USCIS works can help immigrants, permanent residents, and families better understand what happens after an application is filed and when professional legal assistance may be helpful. What Is the Department of Immigration and Naturalization Services? The term “Department of Immigration and Naturalization Services” is commonly used to describe the government system re...