[20211220]LSB10671_美国公民和移民服务局：权限和程序.pdf

CRS Legal Sidebar Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress Legal SidebarLegal Sidebari i U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services: Authorities and Procedures December 20, 2021 Through legislation, Congress has specified the conditions under which non-U.S. nationals (aliens, as the term is used in the Immigration and Nationality Act INA) may lawfully enter or remain in the United States. Under this framework, aliens who satisfy applicable requirements may qualify for certain types of immigration benefits, such as adjustment to lawful permanent resident (LPR) status. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), a component of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is tasked with adjudicating immigration benefit applications. This Legal Sidebar provides a brief overview of USCISs authorities and procedures. (Two other DHS components, Immigration and Customs Enforcement ICE and Customs and Border Protection CBP), are primarily responsible for the agencys immigration enforcement activities, and their authorities are discussed in other CRS products.) Background The Homeland Security Act of 2002 established USCIS as the component within DHS responsible for adjudicating i