US Citizenship and Immigration Services

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is the government agency overseeing lawful immigration to the United States. It administers naturalization, processes applications for visas and green cards, and grants asylum and refugee status. USCIS is currently newsworthy due to several controversial policy changes and enforcement actions under the Trump administration. Recent events include a policy memo halting immigration applications from 19 countries already under travel restrictions, the end of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Yemeni nationals, and increased scrutiny of ICE enforcement tactics, particularly in Minnesota following a fatal shooting. The agency's actions are facing criticism from lawmakers, immigration groups, and even some Republicans, raising questions about the administration's immigration policies and their impact on individuals and communities.