USCIS’ New Mission Statement Aspires to Build a Nation of Welcome

WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services unveiled today a new mission statement that recalibrates its mission, returning the agency to its important role for processing immigration benefits with a solemn duty to treat its customers with fairness, integrity, and respect. This new mission statement also notably reverses the Trump administration’s attempts to transform USCIS into an immigration enforcement agency focused on “extreme vetting” above customer service. 

The agency's new mission statement, “USCIS upholds America's promise as a nation of welcome and possibility with fairness, integrity, and respect for all we serve,” reflects key principles central to the agency’s work and sentiment of its workforce, according to a statement issued by USCIS.

USCIS is the government agency that grants naturalization, immigration benefits, and refugee protections, playing a key role in honoring America’s values by promoting and celebrating citizenship, granting humanitarian protections, and processing family and employment-based petitions and applications for lawful permanent residents.

The following statement is from Jeremy Robbins, executive director of the American Immigration Council:

“We welcome USCIS’ new mission statement as an indication of what’s to come to ensure that the United States lives up to its aspirations and responsibility to efficiently adjudicate immigration benefits and treat its customers with dignity and respect. This new declaration of their values is a reminder that USCIS doesn’t just administer our immigration system— it transforms lives and helps us build a stronger nation that benefits all.

“In 1965 when President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Immigration and Nationality Act, he declared that ‘never again’ will discrimination on the basis of national origin ‘shadow the gate to the American Nation with the twin barriers of prejudice and privilege.’ Today, we take a moment to welcome USCIS’ mission statement change and celebrate a collective vision and dream of a fair, just, and inclusive society for all.

“The American Immigration Council believes that immigrants strengthen America by bringing skills, talents, and new energy to our nation. We believe that everyone deserves an opportunity to present their immigration claims in a fair and orderly way. We hold that our doors must be open to those who come to the United States in search of safety and protection.”

The American Immigration Council has research and other resources on what immigration issues Americans hold sacred, including experts available to speak on the importance of USCIS’ mission, building a cohesive America where all people are welcomed and included, belonging and inclusion, and driving positive narratives around immigration.

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For more information, contact:

Maria Frausto at the American Immigration Council, [email protected] or 202-507-7526.