Getting the Right Experience
Esther is an Immigration Officer with the Office of Fraud Detection and National Security (FDNS) for USCIS. She joined legacy Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) in 1996 as a District Adjudications Officer. She adjudicated and administered immigration benefits and services such as processing applications for U.S. citizens, adjustment of status cases, asylum and refugee cases, administering work authorizations and other permits. She also interpreted and enforced an intricate field of immigration and nationality laws, this included planning and conducting independent research concerning the eligibility entitlements of persons seeking immigration benefits, employment, and /or legal status under the Immigration and Nationality Act. She also reviewed and made determinations on cases, interviewed applicants to elicit statements and assess credibility.
Training and Development through USCIS
In 1998, Esther attended and completed the Immigration Officer Basic Training Course (IOBTC) at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Glynco, GA. She also attended the newly developed Anti-fraud training course at FLETC after she joined FDNS at USCIS Headquarters. Furthermore, Esther recently attended a National Security Leadership and Decision-Making course at the National Defense University at Ft. McNair, D.C to improve her leadership skills. In Esther’s words, “USCIS believes in building and training its personnel to face current and future challenges. The variety of training I have received since joining USCIS has made tremendous impact on the lives of immigrants and aliens.”
Detail Assignment Experience
Esther participated in the Citizenship USA (CUSA) backlog reduction program from 1998 to 1999. She received a Certificate of Appreciation and Award.She had the opportunity to participate in the Eastern Region backlog elimination efforts to reach the six-month processing time on all applications and petitions for immigration benefits. She was detailed to Washington D.C district and the Baltimore district offices from June 2005 through September 2006. One of the highlights of her career was working with a diverse group of employees in various USCIS offices. She received awards and recognition letters from the District Directors for her outstanding performance in accomplishing the goals.
Esther additionally represented USCIS at a community based outreach program in Washington, D.C. during her detail. She addressed variety of immigration issues and questions from aliens, immigrants and citizens of the community.
Benefits of Working at USCIS
Esther explains why she feels that her career with USCIS has been particularly rewarding. “At USCIS, the work is very challenging and I never walk past a problem or mistake without trying to fix it, as we are being held to a higher standard everyday. Our service sets us apart. It is important to communicate regularly up and down, and across. We are dedicated and believe in integrity, respect and ingenuity in our daily work. “I am glad to be a part of a USCIS team of dedicated, experienced and reputable professionals who work diligently to acquire, develop and implement the structure, policy, and procedures needed to detect and combat immigration benefit fraud in our daily commitment to protect our country.
“As a team player, I continue to improve my leadership skills with the commitment to protect our country. Here at USCIS, we are America’s gatekeeper, ‘giving the right benefit to the right people at the right time.”
