The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) began operations in early 2003. This department of the United States government was formed in response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Also in early 2003, several agencies within the umbrella of DHS began to handle immigration issues that were formally handled by Immigration and Naturalization Services (INS), which was abolished by the Homeland Security Act of 2002.

DHS Involvement with Immigration

Several government agencies falling under DHS control handle immigration matters. These include United States Customs and Immigrations Service (USCIS), United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman (CIS Ombudsman), and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

United States Customs and Immigrations Service

The Homeland Security Act transferred all immigration services to USCIS. The director of the USCIS reports directly to the Deputy Secretary of DHS. USCIS focuses exclusively on immigration services, with an objective to do so in accordance with the United States' national security concerns. USCIS handles immigrant and nonimmigrant visas, adjustment of status, asylum claims, work permits, family-based entry permits, and naturalization applications. USCIS also handles all associated documentation for any immigration issue.

United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement

The mission of ICE is to prevent acts of terrorism. ICE enforces immigration, customs, and air security laws. ICE is also DHS's largest investigative agency, and it has responsibility for investigating cracks in the security of the nation's border, economy, and infrastructure.

Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman

The CIS Ombudsman role is to assist individuals and employers to resolve any disputes that they may have with USCIS. In addition, the CIS Ombudsman looks at the big picture of the types of problems that people have with USCIS and attempts to rectify such problems.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

CBP is the United States government agency in charge of the nation's borders. CBP is a combination of the prior separate agencies of U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Customs, U.S. Immigration, and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. CBP's two main focuses are anti-terrorism and facilitating legitimate trade and travel. Like many new initiatives post 9/11, CBP concentrates on identifying people and goods that are terrorist risks to the country. It does so in several different ways, one of which is advance identification and tracking of people flying into the United States.

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