Immigration Law Practice Exam 2026 – Complete Study Resource

The role of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) primarily involves administering the nation's immigration system and processing applications for immigration benefits. This encompasses a wide range of responsibilities, including handling applications for visas, green cards, citizenship, and other immigration-related services. USCIS ensures that the applications are evaluated in accordance with the legal framework established by immigration laws and policies.

While USCIS plays a crucial role in facilitating lawful immigration and maintaining the integrity of the immigration process, its functions are specifically focused on adjudication rather than law creation or enforcement. The agency does not create immigration laws or guidelines; these are established by legislative bodies and implemented through regulations. Enforcement of immigration laws, such as detainment, falls under the jurisdiction of other agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Additionally, USCIS does not provide legal counsel to immigrants; rather, it provides information about the processes and requirements for obtaining immigration benefits, but individuals are encouraged to seek legal counsel from qualified attorneys if needed. This clear delineation of responsibilities underlines USCIS's focus on administration and application processing rather than enforcement or legal advocacy.