When a non citizen has an immigration problem or applies for an immigration benefit, several governmental departments and agencies may become involved. United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, known as USCIS, is part of the Department of Homeland Security. USCIS processes most applications for immigration benefits. If the non citizen is in Removal Proceedings before the Immigration Court, the Immigration Court may handle some or all aspects of his or her applications for benefits. The Immigration Court is part of the Department of Justice. If a non citizen is in Removal Proceedings, the Office of Chief Counsel, I.C.E., represents the Department of Homeland Security as a prosecutor represents the government in a criminal case.

When a non citizen is detained or deported, or when a non citizen may be detained or deported by the government, Immigration and Customs Enforcement is the law enforcement agency which often executes the detention and removal of non citizens. Immigration and Customs enforcement, like United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, is part of the Department of Homeland Security.

Persons who are outside of the United States often need an approved USCIS visa petitions before they can come into the United States. They almost always must apply for either nonimmigrant visas or immigrant visas with the United States Consulate, which is part of the Department of State. Visa applicants also must appear for interviews at a United States Consulate.

Non citizens who enter the United States must be inspected by agents of U.S. Customs and Border Protection. These officers, who work along our land borders in and our airports, and shipping ports, have the power to detain non citizens, release non-citizens, and, in many cases, deport non citizens. This agency adjudicates waivers for nonimmigrants.

If all of these departments and agencies add up to a confusing alphabet soup of bureaucracies, you are not alone. Most of the public and most practicing attorneys are not familiar with all of the agencies which deal with non-citizens. That's just one of the things that makes it a prudent choice to hire an immigration lawyer.

Aside from representing you, a competent immigration lawyer must know how to navigate between these entities, and at times has to facilitate communication between one entity and another in protecting your rights under the law.

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