Definition:
USCIS is the abbreviation for United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, a bureau of the Department of Homeland Security. USCIS was formerly a part of the Department of Justice and known as the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). The bureau transferred on March 1, 2003.
USCIS is responsible for the administration of immigration and naturalization adjudication functions and establishing immigration services policies and priorities. USCIS functions include:
- Adjudication of immigrant visa petitions
- Adjudication of naturalization petitions
- Adjudication of asylum and refugee applications
- Adjudications performed at the service centers