Hello everyone! This is my first blog post. I will post about relevant and new topics in immigration law. Immigration law is constantly changing and it’s important to know the law before filing anything paper or form with “Immigration”. To begin with “Immigration” can be several different agencies. Many people still say INS which was the Immigration and Naturalization Service, but the INS was destroyed after 9/11. After 9/11, the Department of Homeland Security was formed and a whole bunch of new acronyms
USCIS, ICE, CBP, NVC, the list is ongoing. The most common agency I deal with is USCIS which is United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. This is the agency that processes most of the applications that an immigrant will need if he wants to apply for a work permit, travel document, to become resident (green card) and citizen.
ICE, Immigration and Customs Enforcement is the agency that deals with enforcing the immigration law and is who detains and processes immigrants who are facing deportation from the US. If you have a family member or frien who says they were picked up by Immigration,then they are more than likely with ICE. Also, when someone is arrested by the police and they are undocumented,they will sometimes be given an ICE hold. An ICE hold means that even if the criminal bond is paid, the jail must hold the person until ICE comes to pick them up. By law, the jails can only hold the person for ICE for 48 hours after either the criminal bond is paid or the person has completed their criminal case. Although USCIS and ICE communicate with each other, they are complete separate entities and so its very important not to confuse the two.
CBP, Customs and Border Protection is the agency that handles everything related to the border, you will see them at land border and at airports. They are the first line of defense for the United States. Border Patrol falls within CBP and works closely with ICE. For example, if a Legal Permanent Resident (Green Card holder) flies into the US, CBP will interview person before they enter the country. If the person has a criminal charge or conviction that CBP thinks might make the person deportable, they will call ICE so they can pick up the person.
NVC, National Visa Center is the agency that handles giving immigrant visas (residency) through the US consulates abroad. If you have a family member who wants to come to the US and they do not have a tourist visa, they will more than likely have to deal with NVC before they can get an interview at the US consulate in their country.
As you can see, “Immigration” can be many different agencies so its important to speak with an attorney before filing any paperwork.
