Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS)
The Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) was the Department of Justice agency which, prior to 2003, handled legal and illegal immigration and naturalization. The INS was abolished in 2003 and its functions placed under three agencies – the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Patrol (CBP).
Definition from Nolo’s Plain-English Law Dictionary
Formerly, the federal agency in the Department of Justice that administered and enforced immigration and naturalization laws. In 2003, however, the INS officially ceased to exist, and its functions were taken over by various branches of the Department of Homeland Security.
Definition provided by Nolo’s Plain-English Law Dictionary.
August 19, 2010, 5:17 pm
