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    United States Citizenship and Immigration Services
    Government Administration

    United States Citizenship and Immigration Services

    United States flagUnited States

    "Administering the nation's lawful immigration system"

    Founded March 1, 2003 Washington, D.C.
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    About

    The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, better known as USCIS, handles the legal side of entering and staying in the country. It processes visa applications, green cards, and citizenship requests, making it the go-to agency for immigrants seeking to live and work in America. Created in 2003 as part of the Department of Homeland Security, USCIS took over duties from the old Immigration and Naturalization Service. The agency operates on a fee-funded model, meaning application costs cover its budget. In recent years, USCIS has processed over 8 million immigration benefit requests annually, though backlogs and policy shifts have drawn scrutiny. Its work touches everything from family reunification to employment-based visas, shaping who gets to call the United States home.

    USCIS has a network of over 80 field offices across the country, plus four major service centers in California, Nebraska, Texas, and Vermont that handle the bulk of application processing. The agency also runs application support centers for biometrics and asylum offices for those seeking protection. Internationally, most visa work is done by the State Department, but USCIS maintains a limited presence through embassies. The agency's online portal at uscis.gov lets applicants track cases, check processing times, and download forms. Social media accounts on Facebook, X, and YouTube help spread updates and scam warnings.

    Funding has been a recurring challenge. Because USCIS relies entirely on filing fees, a drop in applications like during the COVID-19 pandemic led to furlough threats and talks of emergency funding from Congress. Fee increases have also sparked debate, especially for humanitarian programs. Despite these pressures, the agency continues to adjudicate millions of cases each year, from H-1B work visas to DACA renewals. Recent policy changes, such as the shift requiring most adjustment of status applicants to go through consular processing abroad, have stirred controversy and confusion among immigrants and attorneys alike.

    Products & Sub-brands

    N-400 Naturalization ApplicationGreen Card (Permanent Residence)H-1B Work VisaEmployment Authorization Document (EAD)DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals)Asylum and Refugee ProcessingTemporary Protected Status (TPS)Family-Based Immigration PetitionsAdjustment of StatusCitizenship and Integration Grants

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Who owns USCIS?
    USCIS is a federal government agency under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, created by Congress in 2003. It is not owned by any private entity and is funded primarily by application fees.
    Who is the CEO of USCIS?
    USCIS does not have a CEO. The agency is led by a Director appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, who reports to the Secretary of Homeland Security.
    How much is USCIS worth?
    USCIS is a government agency and does not have a market valuation. Its annual budget is approximately $4-5 billion, derived from application fees, not taxpayer funding.
    Is USCIS still in business?
    Yes, USCIS is fully operational and continues to process immigration benefit applications through its field offices, service centers, and online portal at uscis.gov.
    USCIS vs. Department of State: What's the difference?
    USCIS handles immigration benefits within the U.S., such as green cards and citizenship, while the Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs processes visas at U.S. embassies and consulates abroad. Recent policy changes require most adjustment of status applicants to use consular processing through the State Department.

    Keywords

    USCISimmigrationcitizenshipgreen cardnaturalizationwork visaH-1BasylumDACApermanent residenceDepartment of Homeland Securityadjustment of statusemployment authorization

    Sources

    USCIS HistoryUSCIS NewsroomUSA.gov – USCISQuarles – Adjustment of Status PolicyBiagini Law – Immigration FAQUSA.gov – Immigration

    Company Info

    Founded
    March 1, 2003
    Headquarters
    Washington, D.C.
    Industry
    Government Administration
    Parent Company
    U.S. Department of Homeland Security
    Revenue
    4500000000
    Employees
    19000
    Parent Agency
    U.S. Department of Homeland Security
    Annual Budget
    $4-5 billion
    Number of Employees
    Approximately 19,000
    Applications Processed Annually
    Over 8 million

    Official Website

    www.uscis.gov/

    Links

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