Michael Aytes, Acting Deputy Director, USCIS

Michael Aytes serves as Acting Deputy Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) within the Department of Homeland Security.    Named to this position on April 18, 2008, Mr. Aytes today serves as the Agency’s highest ranking official.

Prior to his appointment, Mr. Aytes served as Associate Director, USCIS Domestic Operations Directorate, responsible for processing of all immigration benefits and services within the United States. In his leadership capacity, he provided direction to the Agency’s 105 field offices and 129 application support centers responsible for the processing of approximately seven million applications every year.

Previously, Mr. Aytes served from 1999 to 2006 as Director, Information and Customer Service, which coordinates and manages the USCIS Telephone Centers; plans and implements USCIS customer-service functions; and serves as customer-service liaison for USCIS. 

Prior to that assignment, Mr. Aytes served in a variety of positions with the former Immigration and Naturalization Service, beginning his Federal career as an Immigration Inspector in Chicago in 1977.  Significant assignments included serving as Appellate Examiner and founding member of the Administrative Appeals Office, 1983-1986; first Assistant Commissioner for Service Center Operations, 1989-1997; and Assistant Commissioner Adjudications Division, 1996-1997.