Definition

Noun: 1. An abbreviation for the Immigration and Naturalization Service: A former agency of the United States Department of Justice responsible for enforcing laws related to the admission, naturalization, and deportation of foreign-born persons.

Usage

• The term INS is used as a proper noun to refer specifically to this historical U.S. government agency.
• It is typically used with the definite article "the" (e.g., ).
• Note: The INS was dissolved in 2003. Its functions were transferred to three new agencies within the newly created Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Examples

• Noun:
  • Before 2003, the INS handled all applications for green cards and citizenship.
  • The traveler's documents were verified by an INS officer at the port of entry.
  • The restructuring replaced the INS with agencies focused separately on enforcement and services.

Advanced Usage

• The term may still appear in historical or legal contexts referring to events, policies, or documents from before 2003.
• In informal contexts, people might still use "INS" to refer generally to U.S. immigration authorities, even though the specific agency no longer exists.

Variants and Related Words

• USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services): The DHS agency that took over the immigration functions (e.g., petitions, naturalization) of the former INS.
• ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement): The DHS agency that took over the immigration and removal operations of the former INS.
• CBP (U.S. Customs and Border Protection): The DHS agency that took over the border protection functions of the former INS.

Synonyms

• Immigration and Naturalization Service (full name)
• Immigration authorities (general, non-specific term)

Noun

1. an agency in the Department of Justice that enforces laws and regulations for the admission of foreign-born persons to the United States