US Citizenship and Immigration Services

US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is the government agency overseeing lawful immigration to the United States. It administers visa petitions, naturalization applications, and asylum requests, among other services. USCIS is currently newsworthy due to several controversial actions and increased scrutiny. Recent events include a policy memo halting immigration applications from 19 countries already under US travel restrictions, leading to accusations of scapegoating. Furthermore, immigration enforcement tactics in Minnesota, particularly those conducted by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) under 'Operation Metro Surge' and the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, are facing legal challenges and bipartisan investigation. These events highlight the agency's role in implementing and enforcing immigration policies, raising questions about the fairness and legality of its actions under the Trump administration.