| US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is a | | | | applications. It also issues employment authorization |
| part of the Department of Homeland Security, and | | | | documents (EAD) and grants lawful permanent |
| performs some of the functions formerly carried out | | | | resident status (green card), and citizenship to |
| by the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), | | | | foreigners. It was created by the government to |
| which was part of the Department of Justice. USCIS | | | | process applications more efficiently and effectively. |
| was created on March 1, 2003 from what was | | | | Besides, improvement efforts have included reducing |
| formerly the Immigration Services Division (ISD) of | | | | the backlog of applications, as well as providing |
| the INS, which is now abolished. | | | | customer service through different channels. |
| USCIS does processing of immigrant visa petitions, | | | | Following is the list of 83 USCIS District Offices and |
| naturalization petitions and asylum and refugee | | | | Sub-offices nationwide. |