5/8/2023
Immigration matters in the United States are under the care of three federal agencies: CPB, ICE and USCIS. The latter is in charge of all kinds of procedures for those arriving in the country and has a complete system of attention by telephone and Internet.
Check here what is USCIS and the different ways to contact them so that you can complete any immigration paperwork when you arrive to the USA.
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What is the USCIS telephone number?
If you want to contact the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services both in English and Spanish, you can call 800-375-5283.
Through this number you can make any inquiry you need to resolve, both of the various procedures that the institution allows you to perform, as well as the requirements to complete the various applications and even claims.
This service is available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.
Other ways to contact USCIS
In addition to the telephone, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service also offers other methods of contact that are even more effective and convenient than the telephone, all of them in Spanish and other languages.
USCIS website
The agency's website offers a lot of information about the different procedures that the USCIS allows you to perform. In addition, it offers an automated chat so that you can easily ask any questions you may have.
Social Networking
This institution also has social media accounts to assist anyone who needs to solve their doubts. You can go to the USCIS Twitter account or Facebook account and you will receive an answer in no time.
What is the USCIS?
It is well known that the USA is a nation of immigrants. In this sense, the USCIS or United States Citizenship and Immigration Services exists to enable legal immigration.
It is an agency attached to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and is responsible for the administration of naturalization and residency of foreign nationals.
This governmental entity was established to replace the defunct INS or Immigration and Naturalization Service, which was divided into three separate entities within the Department of Homeland Security: CPB, ICE and USCIS. This reorganization was brought about by the enactment of the Homeland Security Act of 2002.
Uscis functions
It must first be understood that this agency follows 2 fundamental purposes with respect to citizen integration:
- To pave the way to permanent residency.
- To make the naturalization process possible for those who wish to do so.
In function of this, the work of the Uscis is directed to the processing of visas, asylum applications, petitions for adjustment of status (green card), and procedures to obtain refugee status.
This entity also has the power to make adjudicative decisions at its centers and manages all the functions of the former INS, such as:
- Administration of immigrant benefits and programs.
- Issuance of Employment Authorization Documents (EADs), also known as employment permits or visas.
- Adjudicating petitions for temporary and non-immigrant workers (E-1, H-2B, P3, etc.).
While the benefits remain the same as with INS, the new mission calls for greater efficiency. Within these streamlining efforts is the intention to reduce the applicant pool and enable service through various channels, such as contact centers and ACSs. Immigration enforcement is handled by CBP and ICE.
Times allotted for USCIS processing
Unfortunately, we cannot give you precise timeframes for denial or approval of USCIS applications because it depends on the process and the location.
We suggest that you visit the official website of this agency to check how long the process could take. To do this you must choose the processing center and the form/document you are going to submit.
When you are going to make an immigration application for a family member the times are longer. This happens with applications for spouses, siblings, children over 21 and residents. In any case, you can check the quota in the visa bulletin published by the Department of State each month.
Remember that any document that you have in other languages and is needed to process a petition must be accompanied by a certified English translation. This applies to marriage certificates, birth certificates, among others. In case you do not get an affirmative answer, there are instances of appeal.
Types of forms handled by the USCIS
Currently, this agency handles 2 types of forms: for naturalization and for immigration. These forms have a name with an alphanumeric sequence that begins with a letter and continues with 2 or 3 numbers.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Information Centers
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has about 200 offices in the United States and abroad to serve individuals. During the processing of an application, you should not forget to send the form and the required documents to the assigned address.
This depends on where you currently reside, the type of request you are making and whether the mailing is normal or expedited. Forms designated with an "N" are for naturalization and forms with an "I'' are for immigration.
In the event that you wish to make a general inquiry, you may visit one of their customer service agencies. You can also schedule an appointment through the INFOPASS system.
For specific questions, you can call the USCIS service number: 800-375-5283. This method requires that you have the file number, which is on the receipt notice sent to you by the USCIS.
Español: USCIS en español, teléfono de atención