United States Citizenship and Immigration Services facts for kids
USCIS Logo
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| Agency overview | |
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| Formed | March 1, 2003 |
| Jurisdiction | Federal government of the United States |
| Headquarters | 5900 Capital Gateway Drive Camp Springs, MD, U.S. |
| Employees | 21,253 (2021) |
| Annual budget | $4.235 billion (2021) |
| Agency executive |
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| Parent agency | United States Department of Homeland Security |
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The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is a government agency in the United States. It is part of the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS). USCIS helps manage the country's system for people who want to become U.S. citizens or move to the U.S.
This agency took over many tasks from an older agency called the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). The INS was closed down in 2003. Its jobs were split among three new groups: USCIS, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). USCIS handles applications for things like work visas, asylum, and citizenship. The current director of USCIS is Ur Jaddou, who started in August 2021.
Contents
What USCIS Does
USCIS handles many important requests related to immigration. They process applications for people who want to:
- Get a visa to live in the U.S. permanently.
- Become a U.S. citizen (this is called naturalization).
- Ask for asylum (protection) in the U.S.
- Get a "green card" (which allows them to live and work permanently in the U.S.).
- Come to the U.S. as a refugee.
USCIS also manages other immigration services. They issue documents that allow people to work in the U.S. These are called employment authorization documents (EAD). They also approve requests for temporary workers, like those on H-1B or O-1 visas.
One of USCIS's main goals is to process applications faster. They want to reduce the waiting time for people. They also offer customer service in English and Spanish. You can get help through their Contact Center, Application Support Centers, and their website. Other agencies, like CBP and ICE, handle enforcing immigration laws.
USCIS helps people at two key stages. First, when they become permanent residents. Second, when they are ready to apply for citizenship. To become a U.S. citizen, a permanent resident usually needs to have their green card for at least five years. If they marry a U.S. citizen, this time can be shortened to three years.
How USCIS Uses Forms
USCIS uses special forms for all immigration and citizenship requests. These forms have a specific name and a code, like "I-551" or "N-400."
Forms starting with "I" are for immigration matters. For example, I-551 is for the Permanent Resident Card (green card). Forms starting with "N" are for naturalization, which is the process of becoming a U.S. citizen. An example is Form N-400, the Application for Naturalization.
How USCIS Operates
Online Services
USCIS has an official website that helps people find information. The website was updated in 2009. It now has a virtual assistant named Emma. Emma can answer questions in both English and Spanish.
Getting Help and Information
The USCIS website has tools to help you yourself. You can check the status of your application or change your address. You can also send questions or requests through the website. These requests go to the right USCIS office. For example, you can ask about a case that is taking longer than expected. You can also report if you didn't receive a document or if there's a mistake on your paperwork.
If the online tools don't help, you can call the USCIS Contact Center. If they can't help directly, they will send your issue to the correct office. People outside the U.S. can also schedule appointments through the website.
How USCIS Gets Money
Unlike many other government agencies, USCIS gets most of its money from fees. These are fees that people pay when they apply for immigration benefits. The law allows USCIS to collect these fees. In 2020, USCIS had a budget of about $4.85 billion. Most of this money came from fees. A small part came from money given by Congress.
USCIS Staff and Offices
USCIS has about 19,000 employees and contractors. They work in 223 offices around the world.
Types of Offices
USCIS has different types of offices:
- Field Offices: These offices handle interviews for most non-asylum cases. They also hold naturalization ceremonies. You can get information or services there.
- Asylum Offices: These offices only schedule interviews for asylum cases. They do not provide general information services. You cannot file applications at these offices.
- International Offices: These offices help U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and others who are visiting or living outside the U.S. They are located in cities like Beijing, Havana, New Delhi, and Mexico City.
USCIS Mission Statement
USCIS updated its mission statement in February 2022. The new statement was created with ideas from USCIS employees. It also reflects the goals of the current government.
The mission statement now says:
USCIS upholds America's promise as a nation of welcome and possibility with fairness, integrity, and respect for all we serve.
Related Topics
- Visa policy of the United States
- H-1B Visa
- Permanent residence (United States) ("Green card")
- Visa Waiver Program
- Other main U.S. immigration agencies:
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
Similar Agencies in Other Countries
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
- Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service
- Bureau of Immigration (India)
- Directorate General of Immigration (Indonesia)
- UK Visas and Immigration
