Citizenship Agency Deletes ‘Nation of Immigrants’ From Mission Statement

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services edited its mission statement Thursday in a move that seems to reflect the current administration’s approach to immigration. The agency’s mission statement formerly read, “USCIS secures America’s promise as a nation of immigrants by providing accurate and useful information to our customers, granting immigration and citizenship benefits, promoting an awareness and understanding of citizenship, and ensuring the integrity of our immigration system.”

Now, the mission statement developed by the agency’s new director, L. Francis Cissna, reads, “U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services administers the nation’s lawful immigration system, safeguarding its integrity and promise by efficiently and fairly adjudicating requests for immigration benefits while protecting Americans, securing the homeland, and honoring our values.”

Cissna said in a press release, “I believe this simple, straightforward statement clearly defines the agency’s role in our country’s lawful immigration system and the commitment we have to the American people. … In particular, referring to applicants and petitioners for immigration benefits, and the beneficiaries of such applications and petitions, as ‘customers’ promotes an institutional culture that emphasizes the ultimate satisfaction of applicants and petitioners, rather than the correct adjudication of such applications and petitions according to the law.”

Read Cissna’s full statement here.

— Posted by Natasha Hakimi Zapata