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What We Do

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is the federal agency that oversees lawful immigration to the United States. We are a component of the Department of Homeland Security. Some of the services we provide include:

Citizenship (Includes the Related Naturalization Process) 

Individuals who wish to become U.S. citizens through naturalization submit their applications to USCIS. We determine eligibility, process the applications and, if approved, schedule the applicant for a ceremony to take the Oath of Allegiance. We also determine eligibility and provide documentation of U.S. citizenship for people who acquired or derived U.S. citizenship through their parents. (See the Citizenship page.)

Immigration of Family Members 

We manage the process that allows current permanent residents and U.S. citizens to bring close relatives to live and work in the United States. (See the Family page.)

Working in the U.S. 

We manage the process that allows individuals from other countries to work in the United States. Some of the opportunities are temporary, and some provide a path to a Green Card (permanent residence). (See the Working in the U.S. page.)

Verifying an Individual’s Legal Right to Work in the United States (E-Verify) 

We manage the system that allows participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their newly hired employees. (See the E-Verify page.)

Humanitarian Programs

We administer humanitarian programs that provide protection to individuals inside and outside the United States who are displaced by war, famine and civil and political unrest, and those who are forced to flee their countries to escape the risk of death and torture at the hands of persecutors. (See the Humanitarian page.)

Adoptions 

We manage the first step in the process for U.S. citizens to adopt children from other countries. Approximately 20,000 adoptions take place each year. (See the Adoptions page.)

Civic Integration 

We promote instruction and training on citizenship rights and responsibilities and provide immigrants with the information and tools necessary to successfully integrate into American civic culture. (See the Citizenship page.)

Genealogy

The USCIS Genealogy Program is a fee-for-service program that provides researchers with timely access to historical immigration and naturalization records of deceased immigrants. (See the Genealogy page.)

Related Links

Internal Links:

  • USCIS Organizational Chart
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  • Immigration and Customs Enforcement
  • Customs and Border Protection
Last Reviewed/Updated:
02/27/2020
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