Most of us know that INS used to stand for Immigration and Naturalization Service, and INS was in charge of regulations that affect international students and scholars. Well they have changed their name a few times since 2002.

On November 25, 2002, the President signed the Homeland Security Act of 2002 into law. This transferred INS functions to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

As of March 1, 2003 Immigration and Naturalization Services was abolished and its functions were divided into the departments listed below.

Under Department of Homeland Security:

Bureau of Customs and Border Protection – BCBP
Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement – BICE
Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services – BCIS

There have been some more minor name changes since then. The word Bureau has been dropped, and in one division United States (U.S.) has been added. We now have:

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services – USCIS
Immigration and Customs Enforcement – ICE
Customs and Border Protection - CBP

Jane Havis and Jaye Vien will be on vacation starting Wednesday, December 24, 2003 until Monday, January 5, 2004. No documents will be signed during that time. If you need something done do it NOW!!!!!