February 25 2003

On March 1, 2003, the newly created Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will take over the INS' current fuctions, and the INS will cease to exist. The new DHS is the largest government reorganization in over 50 years. Twenty-two previously disparate government agencies will now be combined under the DHS. This article focuses on how the DHS will effect immigration functions. For more information about other aspects of the the DHS, go to www.dhs.gov.

The DHS will split up current INS functions into two different departments. The INS handled both immigration benefits and enforcement (border control and deportation). Under the DHS, a newly created Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services will focus exclusively on visas, citizenship, and services for new residents and citizens.

Border security and enforcement of immigration laws will be handled by a different department - the Directorate of Border and Transportation Security. The Directorate of Border and Transportation Security will join with agents from the U.S. Customs Service and other enforcement agencies to monitor borders.

The Immigration Courts will continue to remain within the Justice Department, and not become part of the DHS.