As a citizen of another country, you may not be familiar with the various departments within the U.S. government that play a part in immigration. Some organizations and their officials may be in the news from time to time, but brief stories typically do not provide you with an accurate picture of the mission and purpose of any given federal agency. The Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services explains that it is one agency that you cannot afford to ignore if you are planning to visit or move to the United States.
To prevent deportation and legal issues, you must choose one of the avenues that have been set up to facilitate immigration, and the USCIS manages these. So, if you want to live in the country temporarily with an employment visa, become a legal permanent resident or apply for U.S. citizenship, you will need to interact with this federal agency.
Officials at the USCIS are responsible for conducting interviews and other procedures necessary for immigration, naturalization and citizenship processes. Forms for immigration are available through the USCIS, so you may find the application and information about documentation that you need to reach your goal. If you are unsure of your eligibility to work in the United States, you may learn more about the E-Verify system and check your status. Although many questions may be answered through this agency, other stipulations or conditions may be relevant in a person’s case, so this information should not be interpreted as legal advice.