The Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) was a federal agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws and procedures in the US. It was disbanded in the early 21st century and its functions were divided among newly created federal agencies, including US Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), all operating under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The Immigration and Naturalization Service was a United States (US) federal agency often referred to as the INS. During its existence, this agency had a wide range of responsibilities, which included enforcing immigration at borders and maintaining immigration procedures for those already on US soil. Many felt that his vast amount of duties made the agency inefficient and commonly misguided. This service was disbanded in the early 21st century and its functions were divided among newly created federal agencies.
Attempts to control immigration to the United States are not a modern concept. Immigration Services date back to 1891. Naturalization Services, which allow foreigners to become United States citizens, were not created by the federal government until the 20th century.
The INS began with the official title of the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization. This agency was opened in 1906 after the creation of the Naturalization Service. The link between these two agencies was, however, split seven years later in 1913 when they were transferred to the Department of Labor.
These two services were not linked again until 1933. When this happened, it was given the name of the Immigration and Naturalization Service. While the agencies were split, the Immigration Service had acquired the US Border Patrol, which also became part of the newly formed INS. From 1940 to 2003, the Immigration and Naturalization Service operated as part of the Department of Justice.
Following the terrorist attacks in the United States in 2001, the federal government felt the need for greater security and efficiency in immigration matters. As a result, the Homeland Security Act of 2002 eliminated the INS and created three new services. In 2003, immigration obligations related to benefit applications became the responsibility of the new agency now called US Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS). This agency still deals with naturalization and also aims to ensure the legality of other immigration efforts.
Another agency known as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has taken over some enforcement duties that were once held by the INS. This includes the authority to investigate and deport those who have violated immigration laws. ICE’s mission is to protect the people of the United States and the homeland by upholding its duties.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) was the third entity to take over the functions of the Immigration and Naturalization Service. CBP has assumed the role of immigration with respect to US borders. It has the priority mission of keeping terrorists out of the United States. All of these new agencies operate under the authority of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
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