The INS, acronym for the Immigration and Naturalization Service, was a United States federal agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws and administering the naturalization process. Founded in 1933 as part of the Department of Labor, it was later transferred to the Department of Justice in 1940 and remained under its jurisdiction until its dissolution in 2003.
Functioning as an immigration service, the INS had two main objectives. Firstly, it oversaw the enforcement of immigration laws, regulations, and policies to regulate the entry and presence of foreign nationals in the United States. This included detaining and deporting individuals found to be in violation of immigration laws, as well as inspecting and processing applications for visas, green cards, and other immigration-related documents.
Secondly, the INS was responsible for administering the naturalization process, which granted U.S. citizenship to eligible immigrants. This involved reviewing citizenship applications, conducting background checks, and administering naturalization tests and interviews. The INS aimed to ensure the integrity and fairness of the naturalization process while upholding national security and immigration policies.
In 2003, the INS was abolished and its functions divided among three new separate agencies: the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the Customs and Border Protection (CBP). This restructuring aimed to enhance the efficiency and specialization of each agency towards the enforcement of immigration laws, provision of immigration benefits, and border security.
