U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is an agency of the United States government that is responsible for overseeing immigration to the United States. It is responsible for processing and approving (or denying) various immigration-related applications and petitions, including those for visas, green cards, naturalization, and asylum. In addition to these responsibilities, USCIS also conducts background checks, verifies the eligibility of applicants, and issues employment authorization documents. Its mission is to ensure that the United States remains a nation of immigrants while also safeguarding its security and economic interests. For further information about the government agency, refer to the Beginner's Guide to USCIS.