Office of Citizenship & Immigration

Most applications to USCIS require an array of personal documents to be submitted.

The official government agency that oversees legal immigration into the United States is known as U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, or USCIS. First formed in 1891, the current organization and duties were part of the Homeland Security Act of 2002.

Purpose

Focusing on the administration of benefits applications, the bureau was formed to increase efficiency and improve security of national immigration services. These services include the lawful immigration process to becoming a naturalized citizen, managing and monitoring foreign workers and students within the country, verification of legal work status, overseeing foreign adoptions and certain humanitarian programs.

Core Values

USCIS stresses four core values in the mission statement of the organization: integrity, respect, ingenuity and vigilance. This focus allows the agency to give professional customer service, meeting any challenges that occur, while understanding the overall role of helping to fortify and strengthen the nation.

Organization

The entire bureaucracy of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services includes more than 250 locations worldwide with more than 18,000 government employees and contractors. USCIS is one of several components of the Department of Homeland Security.

References

• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services: About Us