The Government's Role in Immigration Matters

Valuable Information from the Attorneys at Bailey & Galyen

If you have a question or concern about immigration, whether you are seeking a visa or have received notice of a removal or deportation proceeding, you may be confused about which government agency will handle your situation. This page identifies all the relevant U.S. immigration agencies and provides a brief description of their duties in the immigration process. To learn about other immigration matters, see our pages on

• the immigration process

• basic immigration laws

• family and work-based visas

• deportation or removal

To schedule a free initial consultation to discuss an immigration matter, contact Bailey & Galyen or call our office at one of the numbers listed below.

The U.S. Department of State

Though the Department of State is primarily involved in the implementation of U.S. foreign policy, it also gets involved in the immigration process through the issuance of visas, which are frequently processed through consulates and embassies in other countries.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

The Department of Homeland Security oversees America's efforts to identify and fight terrorist threats against the country and its citizens.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS)

USCIS replaced the Immigration and Naturalization Service in 2003, taking responsibility for all foreign nationals who seek to reside in the United States, whether under an immigrant or non-immigrant visa. USCIS can approve or reject visa applications and also deals with

• asylum and refugee matters

• international adoptions

• the naturalization process for citizenship

• any changes or extensions to existing immigrant status

Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

CBP is a branch of the Department of Homeland Security, assigned the task of preventing illegal activity at America's borders while simultaneously promoting legitimate trade. CBP combines border patrol, customs, immigration and animal and plant health inspections, looking for individuals or goods that pose a threat to America or its citizens.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

Immigration and Customs Enforcement has responsibility for illegal immigrant detention and removal. ICE monitors the nation's borders, as well as its economic, transportation and infrastructure security, looking for any weaknesses or vulnerabilities.

The Department of Labor

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) gets involved in immigration when employers seek to hire permanent or temporary employees. The employer must obtain a labor certification from the DOL in order for the worker to get the necessary visa to work in the United States.

Contact Our Office

We offer a free initial consultation to all people with immigration concerns. To set up an appointment, contact us or call our office at one of the numbers listed below.