Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS)

Immigration and Naturalization Service or INS was established on June 10, 1933. It ceased to exist as of March 1, 2003, when its functions were consolidated under three new entities � U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Each of these entities is now under the control of the Department of Homeland Security.

The INS was created to deal with illegal immigration into the United States and to ensure the laws of naturalization were followed. It also investigated whether illegal aliens were obtaining unlawful benefits such as unemployment and Social Security benefits. The INS had additional responsibilities to capture, detain and deport illegal aliens back to their country of origin.

The commissioner of the INS was appointed by the President of the United States and reported to the Attorney General, who was head of the Department of Justice. The INS also had contact and interactions with other governmental agencies such as the Immigration and Naturalization Services, the United Nations, and the State Department.