March 4 2003

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is now responsible for everything related to immigration, and the INS no longer exists. Immigration functions have been split up into three main Bureau's under the DHS, and have been combined with other, related functions as well.

The Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS) will handle all immigration benefits. The new Director of this Bureau is Eduardo Aguirre. The webiste for the BCIS is www.BCIS.gov. For now, all immigration services are the same, as are all forms and fees.

The Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (BICE) will include the investigative and enforcement arm of the old INS. Michael Garcia, the former acting commissioner of the INS, has been nominated to head this bureau. The website for the BICE is www.bice.immigration.gov.

The Burea of Customs and Border Protection (BCBP) will incorporate the border protections and inspections of the INS. Robert C. Bonner has been nominated as the Commissioner of the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection. The website for the BCBP is http://cbp.customs.gov.