Government Institution in Charge of Immigration Department in the United States
History of the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS):
The Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) was a part of the United States Department of Justice and was responsible for overseeing the immigration and naturalization process in the country. It was established in 1933 and existed until 2003 when it was reorganized and its functions were transferred to the newly created Department of Homeland Security.
Role of INS:
INS had a wide range of responsibilities, including processing visa applications, deportation of illegal immigrants, conducting immigration raids, enforcing immigration laws, and granting citizenship to eligible individuals. It played a crucial role in regulating immigration to the United States and ensuring that only qualified individuals were granted entry and citizenship.
Changes after the September 11 Attacks:
After the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, there was a significant overhaul of the immigration system in the United States. The INS came under scrutiny for its failure to prevent the attackers from entering the country illegally. This led to the decision to reorganize the agency and distribute its functions among different departments to improve national security.
Creation of the Department of Homeland Security:
In response to the 9/11 attacks, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was established in 2002 to consolidate and coordinate various agencies responsible for national security, including immigration enforcement. The immigration functions of the INS were divided among different agencies under the DHS, such as the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Conclusion:
The Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) was the government institution in charge of the Immigration Department in the United States before the terrorist attacks. Its role was crucial in regulating immigration and naturalization processes in the country. However, after the September 11 attacks, the INS was reorganized, and its functions were transferred to the Department of Homeland Security to strengthen national security and improve immigration enforcement.