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Simple English definitions for legal terms

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

Read a random definition: circumstantial evidence

A quick definition of United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS):

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is a government agency that helps people with their immigration applications in the United States. They decide if someone is eligible for citizenship, permanent residency, visas, and humanitarian aid. They also help with asylum and work visas. USCIS is part of the Department of Homeland Security, but they work with other agencies too. Sometimes it takes a long time for USCIS to make a decision, which can be frustrating for people waiting for their immigration status.

A more thorough explanation:

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is a government agency that processes immigration applications in the United States. It is part of the Department of Homeland Security.

USCIS evaluates a person’s eligibility for:

  • Citizenship
  • Naturalization
  • Immigration based on familial status
  • Permanent residency status
  • Visa extensions
  • Humanitarian aid

USCIS also plays a major role in evaluating eligibility for asylum and work visas that involves other agencies and immigration courts.

For example, USCIS, the Department of Labor, and the Bureau of Consular Affairs all play a role in granting H-1B visas.

However, USCIS is known for having a backlog of applications and cases, which means that a person may have to wait a year or longer before having determinations on their immigration status for certain kinds of applications.

Compare with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

Example: John is a citizen of Canada who wants to move to the United States to work. He applies for an H-1B visa through USCIS, which evaluates his eligibility based on his qualifications and the needs of his potential employer. If USCIS approves his application, John can then apply for a work visa and move to the United States.

Example: Maria is a refugee from El Salvador who is seeking asylum in the United States. She applies for asylum through USCIS, which evaluates her eligibility based on the persecution she faced in her home country. If USCIS approves her application, Maria can then apply for a work permit and begin rebuilding her life in the United States.

These examples illustrate how USCIS evaluates eligibility for different types of immigration applications and plays a crucial role in determining a person's immigration status in the United States.

United States Attorney’s Office (USAO) | United States Code

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HopefullyInLawSchool
16:06
it means you will not be rejected today and may be accepted or WL in the future
Just got my Michigan rejection
BookwormBroker
16:10
same
RoaldDahl
16:10
@HopefullyInLawSchool: what if i already got rejected. does it mean anything
HopefullyInLawSchool
16:12
@RoaldDahl: Likely not however it could mean nothing
RoaldDahl
16:15
So if it means nothing does that mean something?
HopefullyInLawSchool
16:17
Possibly
RoaldDahl
16:26
Cool
RoaldDahl
16:26
thank you!!!! i hope it means something
pinkandblue
16:31
fart
IrishDinosaur
16:36
Mich R gang lesgooo
Did anyone else get that random get to know nova email?
HopefullyInLawSchool
17:21
Ya it was sent to all YM applicants
starfishies
17:37
Anyone get the NDLS email inviting you to apply for something even though they haven’t made a decision on your app yet
17:38
Better yet I got the email and I was rejected last month
starfishies
17:38
Wtf
starfishies
17:39
and the deadline is in like a week what is this
any cardozo movement?
BatmanBeyond
18:01
Sent a LOCI via portal, but I'm wondering if email would have gotten me a swifter response
BatmanBeyond
18:02
This whole hold/wait-list/reserve system is a headache
loci already?
BatmanBeyond
18:09
If the odds are like 1-2% I don't think it matters much by the numbers
12:11
I got the same NDLS email
OrangeThing
12:18
I think the user profiles are broken
19:29
Any word out of Notre Dame?
19:29
Only the invitation to apply for LSE
19:29
Anyone received a decision from NDLS?
19:50
when did u guys apply that just heard from umich? they havent even glanced at my app yet
0:30
how am i supposed to spy on people when profile links are broken?
Right. Broken links smh
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