The Science and Technology Directorate’s Immigration Services Program develops and integrates innovative solutions to strengthen DHS’s ability to enforce U.S. Immigration Laws and efficiently administer the United States Immigration System.
Immigration Based Technologies
- Securing Video Communications to Prevent Digital Injection Attacks
Research and Analytics
- Push-Pull Model of Unauthorized Migration Flows
Future Project Areas
- Efficient and effective domestic and international transportation of illegal aliens
- Efficient intake, management, and transfer of property and valuables for detainees
- Improving the resiliency & efficiency of detention facilities & operations
- Enhancing risk-based custody decisions
- Enhancing methods for efficient case processing
- Improving DHS-wide information collection and sharing
The Immigration Services Performance Metrics Initiative. In FY24, Immigration Services (IS) examined the relationship among current goals and organizational decision making at USCIS through the Performance Metrics Initiative (PMI). IS evaluated operational performance targets and process standardization within three of USCIS’ directorates: Field Operations Directorate; Service Center Operations Directorate; and Refugee, Asylum, and International Operations Directorate. To gain an increased understanding of USCIS performance metric definitions, derivations, uses, and impact, key members of the IS Team conducted site visits to locations recommended by USCIS senior management and vetted by DHS sponsors. The Performance Metrics Initiative analysis enabled USCIS to determine the best course of action for revising and modifying their current performance measures both internally and externally. S&T delivered the final PMI presentation sessions to USCIS stakeholders in May 2024, and the final report in July 2024.
Did You Know?
In collaboration with the S&T Silicon Valley Innovation Program, Immigration Services developed a digital authentication and verifier for United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and Customs and Border Patrol (CBP). Specifically, the project developed foundational open-source libraries for cryptography, sealed storage, metadata management and confidential computing that are common building blocks needed for both digital wallets and verifiers.
Immigration Services is engaging in a DHS Small Business Innovation Research activity to help establish and maintain digital trust during video conference calls. A software prototype will be developed to alert participants that the video or imagery data is originating from a real source and that the video content has not been modified.
Learn more about us and discover how your organization can partner with S&T to make the homeland more secure.