Growing With the Agency and Changing Lives

Roxanne began her career with USCIS as a student trainee in December of 2001. She was then promoted to a term-District Adjudications Officer and transitioned to a permanent position in October of 2005. She joined the Office of the Director in April of 2007 as a Special Assistant to the Director of USCIS, Dr. Emilio T. Gonzalez. She is charged with providing assistance and support to USCIS and the Director’s Office and has worked on a variety of cases ranging from Refugees to family-based petitions to judicial grants of legal permanent residence status.

Benefits of Working at USCIS
Roxanne found that USCIS was just the place she was looking forward to working. “When I began my search for employment, I was looking for something flexible that would allow me to complete my bachelor’s degree. I found that in the legacy Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) internship program. Little did I know that it would be the beginning of a great career!  As the transition from legacy INS to USCIS – Department of Homeland Security – gradually took place in 2003, I realized that I was taking part in the development of a great new agency. USCIS has allowed me the opportunity to grow in my career and realize goals that I wouldn’t have otherwise imagined.”

She continues, “One of the best parts of working in USCIS is that no two days are alike. There are new challenges to be overcome and new applicants to interview everyday. You get to meet many interesting people that you otherwise would never have had the opportunity to interact with and they all leave you with something different. It’s hard to describe the feeling when someone leaves your office in tears of joy because you have made their dreams come true; you have made them a part of this great nation.”

Training and Development through USCIS
In Roxanne’s words, “USCIS is a great place to learn and grow as an individual. The work is fulfilling in that you can help realize the American Dream for a family that comes from a country of oppression and hunger, while at the same time you take part in helping secure America’s Homeland from those who wish to harm her.”