Services > Immigration

USCIS

US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) formerly known as INS, is responsible for the administration of immigration and naturalization adjudication functions and establishing immigration services policies and priorities. These functions include:
  • adjudication of immigrant visa petitions;
  • adjudication of naturalization petitions;
  • adjudication of asylum and refugee applications; and
  • adjudications performed at the service centers.
A wealth of information can be found at USCIS website: http://uscis.gov/graphics/

While I cannot order USCIS, or any federal agency, to approve, reject, or expedite any individual’s application, often I am able to assist individuals with obtaining information about the status of their application, or simply providing them with direction on how best to proceed.

US Department of State

The US Department of State is responsible for and operates 255 Embassies and Consulates worldwide. In addition to their role as serving as a representative for the United States government and its citizens abroad, these offices are responsible for the issuance of both nonimmigrant (tourist) and immigrant visas.

Very often, people in my district have friends or family members who would like to immigrate to the United States, or simply come to a visit – only to discover that the US Consulate has rejected the application. While I cannot order the US Department of State, or any federal agency, to approve, reject, or expedite any individual’s application, often I am able to assist individuals with obtaining information about the status of their application, or simply providing them with direction on how best to proceed.

If an American citizen who is currently residing, or traveling abroad finds themselves in a life or death, or other emergency situation, they should immediately make their way to the nearest embassy. The following link provides information on how to go about getting in touch with a US Embassy - http://usembassy.state.gov . If a constituent has a loved one abroad who is in an emergency situation, they should feel free to contact me, in addition to contacting the American Citizens Officer at the US Embassy.