The Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) was a federal agency that was part of the Department of Justice (DOJ) until 2003, when its functions were split among different agencies. Today, the DOJ still has immigration-related components like the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), which handles immigration court, but the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) now handles immigration benefits and naturalization services, and enforcement duties were moved to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). 

What the INS was and what it is now

• The INS was the agency responsible for administering immigration and naturalization policies from 1940 until 2003.

• In 2003, the INS was dissolved as part of a government reorganization.

• Its functions were divided between three new agencies:

  • U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS): Now handles the administration of immigration benefits, such as naturalization applications.

  • U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE): Handles immigration enforcement.

  • U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP): Handles border security. 

Current immigration roles of the Department of Justice (DOJ)

• Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR): A component of the DOJ that is responsible for the immigration courts and oversees the Board of Immigration Appeals.

• Immigrant and Employee Rights Section: A part of the Civil Rights Division within the DOJ.

• Office of Immigration Litigation: Part of the DOJ Civil Division.