RapidVisa Blog

Customers will soon start using the online Electronic Immigration System (ELIS) to pay the $165 USCIS Immigrant Fee after they receive their immigrant visa package from the Department of State and before they depart for the United States. USCIS ELIS is easy to use and provides direct access to case status updates. New immigrants will also use USCIS ELIS to file future applications and petitions when they become available in the system.

The poverty guidelines are the other version of the federal poverty measure. They, too, are issued every year, generally in the winter, but by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) in the Federal Register. The guidelines are a simplification of the poverty thresholds created for administrative use, such as determining financial eligibility for certain federal programs. They are adjusted for families of different sizes and by geographic location (with different guidelines for the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia; Alaska; and Hawaii).

Starting on Monday, May 6, 2013, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) USCIS will Require Individuals to Submit Biometric Data when appearing at USCIS offices. The USCIS will implement a program called Customer Identity Verification (CIV) in its field offices that will now be require individuals to submit fingerprints and photographs, when appearing at USCIS offices for interviews or to receive evidence of an immigration benefit.

As part of ongoing commitment to improving customer service, USCIS has recently introduced new options for customers to obtain information and check on the status of their application electronically and has also expanded its call center hours.

  They expanded the capabilities of two of our online tools, My Case Status and e-Request, to provide these more flexible options:

My Case Status now allows customers to view the current status of applications they submit, no matter which USCIS form they used. My Case Status now lets them track, through our Secure Mail Initiative (SMI),...

Starting February 1st, 2013, all persons receiving an immigrant visa from a United States consulate abroad will pay an additional $165 fee.  This fee is being called an Immigrant Fee and is intended to compensate the USCIS for preparing and mailing out the Permanent Resident card (Green Card).

If you are submitting an immigration-related petition or an application to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), you will most likely need to pay processing fees that may include filing, biometrics or other fees. This article provides some guidelines and instructions for paying fees to the USCIS with a check.

If you have international travel in less than 2 weeks or need to obtain a foreign visa within 4 weeks, you are eligible to schedule an appointment at a one of our regional passport agencies in the United States. You may be required to provide proof of your travel at certain regional passport agencies. See the individual agency pages for additional information. Will call service is offered for life/death emergencies and immediate travel. The agency will determine how best to return the passport in order to meet the customer's documented travel plans. You can submit your application locally at a Passport Application Acceptance Facility using routine service or expedite service. In addition, the following regional passport agencies do not require any travel plans to apply (an appointment and the Expedite Fee are still required to apply): Arkansas Passport Agency Buffalo Passport Agency Colorado Passport Agency Detroit Passport Agency El Paso Passport Agency Honolulu Passport Agency Minneapolis Passport...

Effective on February 1, 2013 all foreign nationals who seek permanent residence in the United States and receive an immigrant visa will need to pay a USCIS Immigrant Fee. The new fee of $165 was established in USCIS’s final rule adjusting fees for immigration applications and petitions announced on Sept. 24, 2010. USCIS has worked closely with the Department of State (DOS) to implement the new fee which allows USCIS to recover the cost of processing that is performed in the United States after immigrant visa holders receive their visa packages from DOS and are admitted to the United States. Note: Applicants will now have two separate fees to pay. They are still required to pay the DOS visa application processing fee, and will now also have to pay the USCIS Immigrant Fee. What the Fee Covers The immigrant fee will cover the cost of USCIS staff time to handle, file and maintain the immigrant visa package, and the cost of producing and delivering the permanent resident card. Who Needs to Pay the Fee...

The intention of a tourist or travel visa is a temporary visit for a specified amount of time. If you want to get married during your visit then return home before your visa expires that may be legal, but a travel visa should not be used with the intention of entering the United States to marry, stay permanently and adjust status. Using the K-1 Fiancé(e) Visa avoids all of the problems noted above, and is the most appropriate way for a foreign fiancé(e) to come to the U.S. to marry. 

The Affidavit of Support is legally required for the petitioning sponsor for many family-based and some employment based immigrants to show the intending immigrant will have adequate means of support, when planning to immigrate to the U.S. The purpose of the process is to prove that the intending immigrant has adequate means of financial support and is unlikely to become a public charge. 

As “petitioning sponsor” this means you have filed an immigrant petition, which has been approved by USCIS. You have paid your Affidavit of Support processing fee and you have been contacted by the Department of State, National Visa Center (NVC) with instructions. You are ready for the next step in the immigration process, which is submit the I-864 Affidavit of Support and required supporting documents for the purpose of sponsoring the intending immigrant. 

The Affidavit of Support is a legal contract between you (the petitioner for an immigrant visa applicant) and the US Government. It ensures that the visa applicant has adequate means of financial support and is unlikely to become a public charge after entering the US.

In sponsoring your family member to visit the U.S. for a short period of time, either you as the sponsor or the visa applicant must show sufficient income or adequate financial means to support the applicant while in the U.S.

A medical examination is required for all immigrant visas and some non-immigrant visas, as well as for refugees and adjustment of status applicants. The purpose of the medical exam is to determine if you have any health conditions that need attention prior to immigrating.

Below you will find a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding the medical examination that will be required.

When arriving at an airport, the airline will give all travelers some documents to complete while still en route to the United States. All travelers are required to complete a Customs Declaration form 6059B. Those travelers who are non-United States citizens and are requesting admission to the United States with a Visa will be given the Form I-94 (white), Arrival/Departure Record to complete. Those travelers who obtained authorization to travel via the Electronic System for Travel Authorization will not need to complete any additional forms. For more information on ESTA visit the Electronic System for Travel Authorization page. http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/id_visa/esta/ Upon arrival, the airline personnel will show you to the inspection area. You will queue up in an inspection line and then speak with a CBP officer. If you are a U.S. citizen, special lines may be available to you. If you are not a U.S. citizen, you should use the lanes marked for non-citizens. If you are a U.S. citizen, the officer...

Under U.S. immigration law, ALL applicants for immigrant visas are required to undergo and complete a medical examination, regardless of age. The medical examination findings by a panel physician are binding on the consular officer and used to determine eligibility to receive a visa. 

It is important that you must have completed your medical examination when you come to the Embassy for your visa interview. Otherwise, your visa application will be refused or you may be asked to return for another appointment. The medical examination results are delivered directly to the Embassy. 

The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), which relates to the immigration, temporary admission, naturalization, and removal of foreigners, mandates that all immigrants and refugees migrating to the United States undergo an overseas medical screening examination performed by panel physicians.

Restricted items include meats, fruits, vegetables, plants, soil, and products made from animal or plant materials.Agricultural pests and diseases are a threat to U.S. food crops and livestock. Some of these organisms are highly contagious animal diseases that could cause severe economic damage to the livestock industry and losses in production, which would mean increased costs for meat and dairy products. Other pests can affect property values by damaging lawns, ornamental plants, trees, and even homes.Definitely check with U.S. Customs before you decide what to bring. Be sure you know the origin of the items, not just the type of products. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) are partners in this effort to protect American agriculture against the introduction of foreign plant and animal pests and diseases at our nation’s ports of entry. USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) develops the policies that determine what agricultural products...

Online Resource for Employers and Employees Now Available in Spanish: Released Oct. 4, 2012
WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today launched a Spanish-language version of I-9 Central, an online resource center designed to provide information and assistance related to the most frequently accessed form on USCIS.gov: Form I-9, Employee Eligibility Verification. This free, easy-to-use website provides employers and employees simple one-click access to resources, tips and guidance to properly complete Form I-9 and better understand the Form I-9 process.

Reference: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis

A green card is issued to all permanent residents as proof that they are authorized to live and work in the United States. If you are a permanent resident age 18 or older, you are required to have a valid green card in your possession at all times. Current green cards are valid for 10 years, or 2 years in the case of a conditional resident, and must be renewed before the card expires.


Source:  http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis

The USCIS National Customer Service Center is expanding its hours to include Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Live agents will now be available Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m in each time zone. 

Today the USCIS announced today it will start printing the From I-797C on regular bond paper instead of the fancy green paper they have used in the past. In addition to saving the agency about $1.1 million dollars a year, they hope that by making the document less impressive it will reduce the public's perception that the form provides an immigration benefit or status. The I-797C is only used for the following: Receipt (notifies the customer that their payment and application/petition has been received by USCIS) Rejection (notifies the customer that their application/petition has been rejected due to incorrect information or payment) Transfer (notifies the customer that their case was relocated to another USCIS office for processing) Re-Open (notifies the customer that USCIS has approved a motion to re-open their completed case and it is being processed)...

No matter where you file your I-765, Application for Employment Authorization (also known as the Work Permit or EAD), all cards are created and mailed from the USCIS card production facility in Kentucky.  In 2011 USCIS initiated the secure mail initiative in partnership with the United States Post Office (USPS). This partnership enables USCIS to confirm delivery of EAD cards. It also provides tracking information for all cards mailed from the card production facility.  Once you receive your  Notice of Approval you can contact USCIS's National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283 and obtain your tracking number and current delivery status. You should wait two weeks before calling as...

USCIS is considering changes that would allow certain immediate relatives (the spouse, children or parents of a U.S. citizen) who can demonstrate extreme hardship to a U.S. citizen spouse or parent to receive a provisional waiver of the unlawful presence bars before leaving the United States. These procedures are not in effect and will not be available to potential applicants until USCIS publishes a final rule in the Federal Register specifying the effective date. USCIS plans to publish a notice of proposed rulemaking in the coming months and will consider all comments received as part of that process before publishing a final rule. Reference: USCIS...

On Jan. 6, 2012, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) posted a notice of intent in the Federal Register outlining its plan to reduce the time that U.S. citizens are separated from their spouses and children under certain circumstances while those family members go through the process of becoming legal immigrants to the United States. Currently, spouses and sons and daughters of U.S. citizens who have accrued a certain period of unlawful presence in the United States, and have to leave the country as part of the legal immigration process, are barred from returning to their families for as long as 3 or 10 years. They can receive...

Effective January 1st, 2012, there will be a new filing procedure for the I-130. Stand alone I-130 petitions will now be split between 2 locations: Phoenix & Chicago. Petitions will be assigned based on the geographic location of the petitioner. You can determine where to send yours by visiting HERE. This only applies to stand alone I-130 filing (Like Spousal Visas) & does not apply to Adjustments of status where the I-485 is filed in conjunction with the petition.  Source: USCIS

All travelers, with or without visa, will be asked to complete an I-94 Arrival/Departure Record form before landing in the United States.  Travelers without a visa use the green form and travelers with a visa use the white from. The bottom part of the form is perferated and will be detached by the CBP officer and stapled in your passport.  You must surrender this when you leave the United States.  If for some reason you didn't surrender the I-94 when you left the United States you could have trouble the next time you try to enter the United States.  To correct this situation after you have already left the United States you should send your I-94 to: DHS - CBP SBU  1084 South Laurel Road  London, KY 40744  USA You can't mail or take your I-94 to a U.S. Consulate or Embassy, to any other CBP Office in the United States, or to any address other than the one above.  Go here to read more about what to do if you didn't surrender your Form I-94. Starting in the summer of 2010, the I-94 is no longer...

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is in the post-development testing phase of a new system it claims will transform the current paper-based agency into an electronic, online organization.  They are calling this new system the Electronic Immigration System (ELIS). The USCIS plans to implement ELIS in stages.  The first release is expected in early 2012 and will only process the Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Non-immigrant Status.  A five-year contract was awarded to IBM in 2008 to build the system.  The program is currently about $140 million over budget.  Total cost for the system was originally planned to be $1.7 billion but is now pegged at $2.2 billion. This new online processing capability should really streamline the petitioning process and finally...

The USCIS got around to updating the I-134 today.  The previous form had an expiration date of May 31, 2011.  It is quite common for the USCIS to let their forms expire before they get around to updating them.  This time they were pretty quick, posting an updated form only 9 days after the previous form expired.

Many people ask us if they can call the National Customer Service Center (NCSC) to check on the status of their case.  While you can call them, they will only tell you the same information you can find in their online case tracking here. 

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on Friday, February 11, 2011 that it is now issuing employment and travel authorization on a single card for certain applicants filing an Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, Form I-485. This new card represents a significant  improvement from the current practice of issuing paper Advance Parole documents

In November 2010, USCIS transferred approximately 36,000 Immediate Relative petitions from the California Service Center to the Texas Service Center. They anticipated that this redistribution of work would result in more timely adjudication of these petitions.  Many of these cases have still not been processed and are beyond the five month estimated processing time.

The K1 fiancée visa is granted with the condition that you marry within 90 days of your alien fiancée's arrival in the U.S., as indicated on the I-94 Arrival/Departure record.

If you do marry your fiancée but it is after the 90 day period, it is still possible to do the Adjustment of Status and obtain the green card.  However, you will need to file the I-130 along with the I-485, and pay the I-130 fee along with the I-485 fee.

Be carefull because once the I-94 expires your fiancée is technically out of status, and the clock starts for the bar to reentry into the United States

The following tips will help the USCIS process your petition:

• Mark both the envelope and the cover letter as to the nature of the submission. Example: I-129F ORIGINAL SUBMISSION
• Use the appropriate mailing address and mark both the envelope and the cover letter as to the form type. Example: I-129F; I-130; I-485

USCIS identified and eliminated all selections within the existing phone system in which customers were not provided an option to speak with a Customer Service Representative (CSR). In doing so, USCIS created 33 additional opportunities within the phone system for customers to reach live assistance. The primary areas of concentration for these prompts were services applicable to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, family-based applicants and petitioners, individuals with Temporary Protected Status (TPS), and other nonimmigrants.

There are many reasons why a person may be ineligible to enter the United States. The legal descriptions are complicated and lengthy, but we have listed the most common reasons for denial below.

The final ruling has been announced for the November 23, 2010 USCIS fee increases.  The filing fee for the K-3 Spousal Visa will go up from $355 to $420.  However, the filing fee for the K-1 Fiance Visa is going down from $455 to $340.

In 2008, households headed by persons naturalized in the 1980s had a higher median income than those headed by persons naturalizing later (see Table 2). Median incomes of families headed by naturalized citizens show a similar pattern.

Persons naturalized in the 1980s were more likely to hold a college degree than those naturalized in the 1990s or 2000–2008. Over 40 percent of all natural-ized citizens from each naturalization period had a high school education or less in 2008.

The number of persons naturalizing in the United States increased from 2.1 million during the 1980s to 5.0 million during the 1990s and 6.1 million during 2000–2008.

The median number of years spent in LPR status by all persons naturalizing ranges from seven to nine years across naturalization periods (see Table 1). Asian-born immigrants naturalizing in the 1980s and African-born immigrants naturalizing in 2000–2008 spent the least time as LPRs (6 years). Persons born in North America naturalizing in the 1980s and 2000–2008 spent the most time in LPR status (11 years).

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced a change in filing location instructions and addresses for the Petition for Alien Fiancé(e) (Form I-129F) back in June, 2010. The new instructions, dated 6/14/10, are part of an overall effort to transition the intake of forms from Service Centers to USCIS Lockbox facilities.  Centralizing form and fee intake to a Lockbox environment allows USCIS to provide customers with more efficient and effective initial processing of applications/petitions and fees.

One of the many new rules in the proposed Comprehensive Immigration Reform ASAP Act of 2009 would positively impact K1 and K3 applicants. The new rule impacts children of K1 and K3 aliens who join the beneficiary on a K2 or K3 visa.  The new rule would allow the child to use his age as of when the K1 or K3 petition was filed for purposes of getting a green card (adjusting status).

The New York Times has a very nice interactive map application on their web site that shows you where immigrants have settled in the United States.  They call it their Immigration Explorer.  You can select a foreign country and the map will graphically show you where those people have settled in the U.S. since 1880.

Check out this worksheet used by the USCIS in their marriage fraud interviews.  This is not the form used in the K1 or K3 visa interview.  It is used when a person is referred to what is commonly called the "Stokes Interview".  It also covers I-140, I-129 and I-360 petitions.  The questions that apply to marriages are:

Yes, headgear can be worn in the passport photo if the person wears it for religious reasons, and normally wears it everyday. Here is what the USCIS says:

Unless worn daily for religious reasons, all hats or headgear should be removed for the photo. A signed statement from the applicant must be submitted with the application verifying the item is worn daily for religious reasons. In all cases, no item or attire should cover or otherwise obscure any part of the face.

Many people ask us if there is a way to expedite their K1 Fiance Visa, or K3 Spousal Visa. Unfortunately, unless you are in the U.S. military it is not possible to expedite the process once your petition is mailed to the USCIS.

The best way to expedite your K1 Fiance Visa or K3 Spousal Visa is to prepare your petition completely, accurately and neatly. A complete petition will eliminate the need for the USCIS to send you an RFE (Request for Evidence). A neat petition will help the reviewer quickly process your application.

The USCIS has redesigned the Form I-551 Permanent Resident Card, commonly called the Green Card, for the second time in less than 6 years.

In November of 2004, the green card was redesigned to replace the old Department of Justice and Immigration and Naturalization Service references with the new Department of Homeland Security branding.

The USCIS asks you to submit 2 inch by 2 inch passport photos for both you and your foreign fiance or spouse. However, getting 2x2 passport photos from most foreign countries is difficult to impossible, partly because most countries use the metric system.

The USCIS released it Naturalization numbers today for 2009. Naturalization is what they call becoming a U.S. citizen. There are several paths to citizenship, but generally a person needs to be a lawful permanent resident (green card holder) for 5 years to apply for citizenship. A notable exception is that spouses of U.S. citizens need only to hold a green card for 3 years before applying for citizenship.

The final two defendants pleaded guilty Monday to charges in a Columbus-based marriage fraud scheme.

After filing a K-1 Fiance Petition or any other type of application with the USCIS, you will receive a Notice of Action on form I-797. The first block on this form lists your USCIS case number (although the form calls it a Receipt Number.

Also known as Form I-94, Arrival-Departure Record. The Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection official at the port-of-entry gives foreign visitors (all non-U.S. citizens) an Arrival-Departure Record, (a small white card) when they enter the United States.

In general, if you were admitted as a non-immigrant, can apply to extend your stay in that nonimmigrant category or change to another nonimmigrant category. However, there are a number of requirements.

If the USICS received your application before your status expires and if you have not violated the terms of your status and meet the basic eligibility requirements, then you may continue your previously approved activities in the U.S.( including previously authorized work, for a period of up to 240 days), until the USCIS makes a decision on your application or until the reason for your requested extension has been accomplished- whichever comes first.

The alien registration number or "A-number" is an identifying number that USCIS assigns to certain aliens, such as those who apply for adjustment of status. A-numbers may consist of 8 or 9 digits. From USCIS: Alien registration began in August 1940 as a program to record every non-citizen within the United States. The original Act of 1940 was a national security measure, and directed the former INS to fingerprint and register every alien age 14 and older within and entering the United States.

Admission or entering the U.S., by non-United States citizens must be authorized by a CBP officer at the port-of-entry, who determines whether you can enter and how long you can stay here, on any particular visit

In March 2008, DOS issued guidance to its posts on implementation of IMBRA including the need to disclose petitioner criminal conviction information for certain offenses and information related to any protection orders related to the petitioner. The guidance also states that after providing any related criminal history information, consular officers should give the applicant time to decide if he or she still wishes to proceed with the visa application process

Naturalization is the process by which U.S. citizenship is conferred upon foreign citizens or nationals after fulfilling the requirements established by Congress in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). After naturalization, foreign-born citizens enjoy nearly all the same benefits, rights and responsibilities that the Constitution gives to native born U.S. citizens, including the right to vote.

Applicants may be deemed ineligible for any of the following reasons:

Health-related grounds
Criminal grounds
Security and Related Grounds
Likely to become a Public Charge
Labor Certification & Qualification
Illegal Entrants and Immigration Violators
Documentation Requirements
Ineligible for Citizenship
Aliens Previously Removed
Miscellaneous such as Practicing Polygamists, Unlawful Voters, Former citizens who renounced citizenship to avoid taxes

Also known as Form I-94, Arrival-Departure Record. The Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection official at the port-of-entry gives foreign visitors (all non-U.S. citizens) an Arrival-Departure Record, (a small white card) when they enter the United States. Recorded on this card is the immigrant classification and the authorized period of stay in the U.S. 

A biometric or biometric identifier is an objective measurement of a physical characteristic of an individual which, when captured in a database, can be used to verify the identity or check against other entries in the database. The best known biometric is the fingerprint, but others include facial recognition and iris scans.

Computer Linked Application Information Management System, CLAIMS, provides USCIS employees with automated support for adjudicating cases and processing various notices, among other things. CLAIMS capabilities include case tracking, status update, notice reporting, and document production. .

The concept of dual nationality means that a person is a citizen of two countries at the same time. Each country has its own citizenship laws based on its own policy.  Persons may have dual nationality by automatic operation of different laws rather than by choice. For example, a child born in a foreign country to U.S. citizen parents may be both a U.S. citizen and a citizen of the country of birth.

The date or D/S notation, shown on your Arrival-Departure Record, I-94 or I-94W is the official record of the your authorized length of stay in the U.S. Upon entering the U.S., Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials at the port of entry, places a small white card, Form I-94, Arrival-Departure Record in your passport.

EAD: This document proves you are allowed to work in the United States. If you are not a citizen or a lawful permanent resident, you may need to apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) to prove you may work in the United States.

Permission to enter and/or remain in the U.S. and extensions of stay in this country are granted by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). If you came to the U.S. on a nonimmigrant visa, and you want to extend your stay in the U.S., then you must ask for permission from DHS’s United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) before your authorized stay expires. If you have a date on your Form I-94, you should apply for your extension of stay with USCIS well in advance of its expiration.

For family based visas, a petition is filed either by a U.S. citizen or U.S. lawful permanent resident relative. Immediate Relatives Immediate Relatives of U.S. Citizens (IR): These types of immigrant visas are based on a close family relationship with a U.S. citizen, including spouses, children, and parents. Limited Family-Based Immigrants involve specific, more distant, family relationships with a U.S. citizen and some specified relationships with a Lawful Permanent Resident.


 

ICE is a component of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).  It was established in 2003 after the Homeland Security Act of 2002. Prior to 2003, many of the functions of ICE were performed by elements within United States Customs Service (Treasury), Immigration and Naturalization Service (Justice) and Federal Protective Service

The USCIS is embarking on an enterprise-wide “Transformation Program” that will transition the agency from a fragmented, form-centric, and paper-based operational environment to a centralized, person-centric, consolidated environment utilizing electronic adjudication.

A major immigration law enacted on November 6, 1986, to gain control over legal immigration. It provided for the legalization of certain long-term undocumented aliens and agricultural workers, increased border enforcement, and made it unlawful to hire undocumented workers. It also required that U.S. employers verify the identity and work authorization status of all persons they hire.

A Permanent Resident is a person who has been granted permanent resident status in the United States and has (or is waiting for) a Permanent Resident Card.

Physical presence in the United States is an important eligibility requirement. Most naturalization applicants must spend a specified amount of time in the United States in order to meet the physical presence requirement for naturalization. Except in a few cases, time spent outside of the United States, even brief trips to Canada and Mexico, does not count toward your “physical presence.”

Social Security numbers are used for a variety of purposes such as for the individual’s taxpayer i.d. number, for bank and other financial accounts, and as Social Security and Medicare account numbers.

A U.S. National is a person who, because of his or her birth in American Samoa or on Swains Island, owes permanent allegiance to the United States, and who may naturalize based on residence in an outlying possession of the United States.

A U.S. National is a person who, because of his or her birth in American Samoa or on Swains Island, owes permanent allegiance to the United States, and who may naturalize based on residence in an outlying possession of the United States. 

There are approximately 16,000 USCIS federal and contract employees and 250 offices.  On a typical work day the USCIS will: 

- Process 30,000 applications for immigration benefits.
- Issue 6,000 Permanent Resident Cards (green cards).
- Adjudicate 200 refugee applications.
- Adjudicate 230 asylum applications.
- Naturalize 3,000 new civilians and 27 new citizens who are members of the United - States Armed Forces.
- Answer 41,000 phone calls.
- Help 12,000 customers who visit local offices.
- Serve 200,000 customers through the USCIS.gov website.

Offices operated by the USCIS include:

- Field Offices
- Application Support Centers
- Service Centers
- National Benefits Center
- Asylum Offices
- National Customer Service Center
- Forms Centers