U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
Historical Context and Evolution of USCIS Understanding U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services current functions benefits from a look at its origins and evolution. Origins within INS Prior to 2003, the functions now performed by USCIS were handled by the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), a part of the Department of Justice. INS managed immigration benefits, enforcement, and investigations under a single agency. Homeland Security Reorganization Following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the U.S. government undertook a major reorganization of agencies responsible for immigration and border security. The Homeland Security Act of 2002 established the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and INS was dissolved. The immigration functions were split into three separate agencies under DHS: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS): Handles immigration benefits and adjudications. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP): Manages border secur...