March 1, 2003 - All functions of the former Immigration and Naturalization Service have been transferred to Bureaus of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as of March 1, 2003. The INS ceases to exist on this date.

Immigration services, including adjudication of petitions and applications and service center operations, will be performed by the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS). Mr. Eduardo Aguirre has been named the acting director of BCIS. The administration announced in late February that all forms and documents issued by the former INS would still be valid as evidence of status and that there would be no immediate change in local and regional office locations. Former INS offices, both local and regional, will continue to operate as BCIS offices, and forms and applications can continue to be mailed to the existing addresses.

Investigative and interior enforcement functions will be handled by the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (BICE). Acting INS Commissioner Michael Garcia has been nominated to lead the BICE.

Immigration inspections at the border, as well as border enforcement will be preformed by the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (BCBP) . BCBP is also responsible for agricultural inspections and customs. U.S. Customs Commissioner Robert Bonner will serve as the Commissioner of the BCBP.