“U/S”

Homeland Security Department agency charged with administering federal immigration laws. The USCIS facilitates entry into the United States of persons legally admissible as immigrants or visitors; grants certain benefits to those seeking asylum, temporary or permanent resident status, or naturalization; and determines eligibility for adoption of children living outside the United States.

branch of the U.S. Armed Forces and agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with enforcing U.S. maritime laws and ensuring the safety of the nation's ports and waterways. In addition to enforcing federal maritime laws and applicable international agreements, and assisting other federal law enforcement agencies in their work, the Coast Guard performs marine safety-inspection and licensing activities, enforces rules and regulations governing the safe use of U.S. ports and waterways, maintains various aids to navigation (such as lights and buoys), administers statutes governing the construction of certain bridges, carries out drug and migrant interdiction, and performs various other activities (such as search and rescue operations and marine environmental response) in support of its mission.

Homeland Security Department agency charged with preventing entry of terrorists and terrorist weapons, collecting import revenues, and enforcing customs and related laws. Among its major tasks are maintaining border security; assessing and collecting customs duties, excise taxes, fees, and penalties due on imported merchandise; interdicting and seizing contraband, including narcotics and illegal drugs; processing persons, carriers, cargo, and mail into and out of the United States; administering certain navigation laws; detecting and apprehending persons engaged in fraudulent practices designed to circumvent customs and related laws; and assisting other government agencies in enforcing various export-control, trade, and criminal statutes and regulations.

Interior Department agency charged with protecting the nation's fish and wildlife resources. In addition to operating 551 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and management areas, 70 national fish hatcheries, 65 fishery resource offices, and 86 ecological service field stations, FWS maintains a nationwide network of wildlife law enforcement agents. It is also responsible for developing the list of federally recognized endangered and threatened species and enforcing the laws governing the protection of those species.

independent agency charged with conducting specialized studies of international trade and tariffs, including examinations of U.S. and foreign customs laws, and making recommendations to the president, Congress, and other government agencies. The USITC conducts investigations, holds public hearings, and carries out research projects pertaining to the issue of foreign importation vis-à-vis U.S. domestic production and consumption, seeking to identify, among other things, unfair or injurious practices in import trade. As part of its broad powers, the USITC advises the president regarding proposed trade agreements, reviews rates of duty on specific articles, investigates market disruptions, monitors the effects of subsidized goods entering the United States, studies import interference with domestic agricultural programs, and issues tariff schedules, trade summaries, and other publications.

Justice Department agency charged with carrying out all law enforcement activities relating to the federal justice system. The Marshals Service provides security for the federal courts, apprehends federal fugitives, operates the federal witness protection program, maintains custody of and transports federal prisoners, executes court orders and arrest warrants, receives and manages property forfeited to the government by drug traffickers and other federal offenders, and participates in emergency response and other crisis situations. It is the nation's oldest federal law enforcement agency, having been established in 1789.

independent agency charged with processing and delivering mail and with protecting the mails from loss, theft, or abuse in accordance with U.S. postal laws. Besides providing mail processing and delivery services, the USPS oversees the application of postal rates and fees as determined by its Board of Governors and the independent Postal Regulatory Commission; develops and applies mail classification standards; and serves, through its Postal Inspection Service, as the federal law enforcement agency holding jurisdiction in criminal matters affecting the integrity and security of the mail.

independent agency in the judicial branch responsible for developing sentencing policies and practices for the federal courts. The commission, created in 1984, issues guidelines prescribing the appropriate form and severity of punishment for offenders convicted of federal crimes. It also evaluates the effect of the sentencing guidelines on the criminal justice system, advises Congress regarding the modification or enactment of statutes relating to criminal law and sentencing matters, and conducts research into sentencing, protection, and related issues.

United States Code