Research Guides: Immigration Law: Agencies and Immigration Decisions

Federal Agencies

"The functions of enforcing immigration law and administering immigration and citizenship benefits are now principally handled by three subdivisions of the Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection."

- Immigration Law in a Nutshell

The Mabie Law Library has also provided links to other federal agencies that have purview over specific types of immigration. Among these include the State Department and the Department of Labor. Although they are not within the "umbrella" of the agencies under the Department of Homeland Security (ICE, USCIS, CBP, TSA), they do publish materials relevant to immigration legal practice.

Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS): Administers immigration & naturalization policies and administrative decisions.
Department of Justice (DOJ) - Executive Office of Immigration Review
The primary mission of the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) is to adjudicate immigration cases by fairly, expeditiously, and uniformly interpreting and administering the Nation's immigration laws. Under delegated authority from the Attorney General, EOIR conducts immigration court proceedings, appellate reviews, and administrative hearings.
Department of Labor - Foreign Labor Certification
Enforces law regarding employment of foreign workers. Employers in the United States must apply for “labor certification”. If the petition is denied, the employer may appeal. Forms are available via the Foreign Labor Certification page.
Immigrant and Employee Rights Section (IER)
Formerly the Office of Special Counsel for Immigration-Related Unfair Employment Practices, this department enforces the anti-discrimination portions of the INA related to employment.
State Department
The State Department issues visas and publishes the Foreign Affairs Manual which includes information about visas, citizenship and nationality.
U.S. Customs & Border Patrol (CBP)
Regulating people & goods moving into and out of the United States. Enforces immigration and customs laws at the borders of the United States.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
Investigation, enforcement and removal of illegal entrants.
USCIS Case Status Online
Use this tool to track the status of an immigration application, petition, or request.

Administrative Decisions

When keyword searching for these, call them “decisions” or “opinions”.

Bender's Immigration and Nationality Act Service
Call Number: KF 4815.B46

Includes the full text of selected current federal court cases, all current BIA and AAO precedent decisions, and selected current BIA and AAO non-precedent decisions, BALCA, OCAHO, PERM and Department of Labor decisions.
Interim Decisions by United States Board of Immigration Appeals
Call Number: KF 4812.A2 A4
Administrative Decisions Under Immigration and Nationality Laws by Department of Justice / Board of Immigration Appeals
Call Number: KF 4912.A2 A4

Administrative Appeals Office (AAO)
Petitioners and applicants for certain categories of immigration benefits may appeal an unfavorable decision to the Administrative Appeals Office (AAO). We conduct administrative review of those appeals to ensure consistency and accuracy in the interpretation of immigration law and policy. We generally issue our appellate decisions as non-precedent decisions, which apply existing law and policy to the facts of a given case. After review by the Attorney General, we may also issue precedent decisions to provide guidance to adjudicators and the public on the proper interpretation and administration of immigration law and policy.
Office of the Chief Administrative Hearing Officer (OCAHO)
The Office of the Chief Administrative Hearing Officer (OCAHO): handles cases of employer sanctions and document fraud. Decisions are available in bound volumes, entitled Administrative Decisions Under Employer Sanctions, Unfair Immigration-Related Employment Practices and Civil Penalty Document Fraud Laws of the United States.