US Government Agencies and Their Duties - Immigration Law
Who is in Control of Immigration?
There are multiple federal agencies that are involved in the immigration
process. They are responsible for enforcement as well as implementation
of the laws and regulations. Understanding which agency has what
authority, and how to deal with it, is important. This means that
it is usually beneficial to have an immigration law firm involved
in the process.
The Department of State (DOS)
It is the responsibility of DOS to supervise the consulates and
embassies of the United States that are located in other countries.
The foreign located consulates and embassies are responsible for
the processing and approval or denial of visa applications for people
who want to come to America.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
This is the agency whose name we hear frequently when there are
discussions of protecting us from terrorist activities. It is also
heavily involved in immigration matters, primarily through the United
States Citizenship and Immigration Service and the United States
Customs and Border Protection agency.
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS)
The USCIS has primary responsibility for handling immigration matters.
It replaced what was known as the INS, or the Immigration and Naturalization
Service. It is part of the Department of Homeland Security, and
it has regional offices that help process visa petitions that are
filed by persons who reside in the United States. It deals with
such things as approving extension requests for nonimmigrant visas,
approving changes in immigrant status, naturalization applications,
and so forth.
The United States Customs and Border Protection Agency (CBP)
This agency has the power and responsibility, among other things,
to identify people or things that might pose a risk to United States
citizens, and then refuse them entry into America. It is also responsible
for encouraging legitimate trade while preventing criminal and terroristic
activities on the borders of the United States.
The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE)
ICE is the agency that has primary investigative responsibility
when it comes to finding and removing persons and things that threaten
America’s borders, such as weaknesses in security for the border,
economic, transportation, or infrastructure. It also has authority
to decide when immigrants should be detained and removed.
The United States Department of Labor (DOL)
The DOL must approve labor certifications when employers want to
hire certain classes of workers who are foreign nationals. Without
that approval, these classes of foreign workers cannot obtain a
visa to enter the United States. The DOL is also responsible for
helping protect workers and improving their working conditions.
The Bottom Line
Understanding the interplay of the various government organizations
involved in implementing the law is important to a full understanding
of US immigration policy. Contact our firm to speak with a knowledgeable
immigration attorney about your immigration-related legal matters.
DISCLAIMER
This web site, and all information on it, is intended for informational
purposes only. No one should interpret it as being legal advice.
Instead, each person should seek the advice of an attorney to obtain
legal advice on any matter.
Texas Immigration Attorneys - US Immigrant Visa Lawyers
Immigration law is complex, confusing and constantly changing.
Unless you are aware of the potential opportunities and pitfalls
in the law, dealing with the United States Citizenship and Immigration
Service (USCIS) can be a long, frustrating process. Applications
are routinely denied for minor errors or omissions in the large
amount of required paperwork. This is why so many people rely upon
the services of a skilled immigration law attorney.
To learn more about immigration law, please review the general
information we have provided. To speak with an experienced immigration
attorney, please contact the
Houston immigration law attorneys at The Solomon Firm, P.C. today.
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