Immigration has been a very significant issue in the USA's domestic and foreign policy spheres. Henceforth the immigration bureau of USA has also been crucial throughout. Earlier the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) [For details please see Immigration and Naturalization Service under Index 1: Immigration to the US] used to handle all affairs related to immigration. However that body was abolished in 2003 with all its powers and functions transitioned to three agencies under the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) [For details please see Department of Homeland Security under Index 1: Immigration Department USA].
There are also some other subordinate immigration bureaus in the US, such as:
1. Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS):
Earlier called the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS), this body is a part of the DHS and is charged with tasks like processing visa petitions of immigrants, petitions for naturalization, and asylum and refugee applications.
2. Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE):
Working as largest investigative arm of the DHS, this entity is responsible for intercepting vulnerabilities in the nation's border, economic, transportation and infrastructure security.
3. Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (CBP):
Functioning as a bureau of the DHS, this department is charged with regulating and facilitating international trade, collecting import duties, and enforcing U.S. trade laws.
