Useful Links for U.S. Immigration
Brief descriptions and links to US government agencies involved in US immigration law and procedure are as follows:
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
http://www.dhs.gov/index.shtm
In the aftermath of 9/11, the US Immigration and Naturalization Service (“INS”) became part of a new governmental agency, the Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) in 2003. Responsibility for administering US immigration benefits and securing America’s borders was divided as follows:
- US Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) provides immigration related benefits and processes petitions for work authorization, naturalization, as well as asylum and refugee applications.
http://www.uscis.gov
- US Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”) is responsible for border patrol
http://www.cbp.gov/
- US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) enforces federal immigration, customs, and air security laws as well as oversees investigations.
http://www.ice.gov/
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DEPARTMENT OF STATE
http://www.state.gov/
The US Department of State is the lead agency for American foreign policy and affairs overseeing embassies and consulates located around the world that coordinate the issuance of visas and passports as well as travel related services.
For more information about foreign citizens applying for visas to enter the US visit http://travel.state.gov/.
- US Embassies and Consulates abroad provide consular processing and benefits for both US citizens and foreign nationals regarding work authorization, citizenship, passport services and visas to enter the U.S. http://usembassy.state.gov/
- The Visa Office in the Department of State distributes visas to the U.S. by providing visa numbers according to preference and priority date. The Department of State issues regular visa bulletins that establish these numbers.
- Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs oversees cultural and educational exchange programs for both US and foreign citizens, including the J-1 exchange visitor program allowing foreign nationals to visit the United States temporarily to teach, lecture, study, observe, conduct research, consult, train, or demonstrate special skills.
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US DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
http://www.dol.gov/
The US Department of Labor is responsible for occupational safety, wage and hour standards, unemployment insurance benefits, re-employment services, and some economic statistics. For businesses and foreign workers in the US, the Department of Labor is importantly responsible for wage standards, the foreign labor certification process and occupational requirements for all employees.
SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
If you plan to enter the United States pursuant to a visa category that includes authorization to work in the US, obtain information on applying for a Social Security Number at http://www.ssa.gov/.
If you need our assistance, please complete our consultation questionnaire and send to Info@LevinImmigration.com or contact us by phone at +61 (2) 9236-7389 (from within Australia) OR +1 4040 543-8320 (from within the U.S.).
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