Constituent Services - Immigration & U.S. Visas

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) oversees citizenship applications and many immigrations issues. It was created when the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) was integrated into the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The Department of State (DOS) handles visa applications and approvals.

Below are listed some frequently-asked questions (FAQs) regarding United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. These links will take you directly to the agency website:

• Fact sheet on the Immigration Accountability Executive Action (English/Español)
• Which federal agency handles immigration?
• How do I find out the status of my application?
• How do I obtain an immigration visa?
• What is a visa number?
• How do I extend my tourist/student/business visa?

For more information you can visit United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) online or contact the National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283. Help with a current application, you will need to have your A-number, any receipt number issued to you after the USCIS received your application and the last notice you received about your case. This will help the Customer Service Representative to answer questions about case status and processing times.

For my office to assist you with any questions you may have regarding your case, you will need to complete a privacy release form giving permission for my staff to make inquiries on your behalf. The Privacy Act of 1974 requires that I have your written authorization before I can obtain any information about you from a federal agency. You can read my office's privacy policy here.

While a friend or family member can certainly contact my office on someone else's behalf, the privacy release form must be signed by the individual needing the assistance. On any correspondence sent to me, please include your phone number and contact information so that my staff can be as responsive as possible to your request. 

When completing the form, please include all pertinent information such as:

• Your full name
• Your Social Security Number
• Date of birth
• Type of claim and date filed
• Description of concern/issue
• Your contact information (phone number, address, e-mail)

In most cases, my office can contact the appropriate agency on your behalf to assure that you have been given every consideration available. Please note that I cannot force an agency to expedite a case or act in favor of a constituent.  However, I can help communicate the circumstances and request that the agency take appropriate actions to assist you.

Please keep in mind that due to the constitutional separation of the legislative and judicial branches of government, an elected official is not allowed to get involved in legal matters or cases before the court. In these instances, you may wish to seek legal counsel and speak with an attorney. If your concern is with a state or local entity, you will need to contact the appropriate jurisdiction for these issues. You can search for your state legislators here. Additionally, those who are not living within the Second Congressional District of Massachusetts should contact their own member for assistance. You can search for your Member of Congress here.  Exceptions to this might include military personnel who are away from the state while on active duty or students attending college out of state.