Immigration Research Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Summary
Protect your homeland and defend your culture. Join USCIS, America's frontline defense against illegal foreign infiltration and fraud.
As an IMMIGRATION SERVICES OFFICER, you will conduct in-person interviews to adjudicate applications for immigration benefits and assist other federal agencies in identifying those who pose a threat to national security and public safety.
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Duties
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• Organizational Location: This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, within Service Center Operations Directorate and are assigned based on the need of the agency.
• The responsibilities described are for the full performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope performed with less independence, and limited complexity.
• Screening and vetting to grant or deny complex applications and petitions for immigration benefits based on electronic or paper applications, petitions, and in-person interviews.
• Research and interpret sources including immigration laws and regulations, operating instructions, legislative history, precedent decisions, state and local laws, and international treaties to determine adjudicative decision.
• Process electronic or paper applications and petitions for immigration benefits using available electronic systems to verify numerous established data points.
• Provide direct assistance to personnel/officials of other Federal agencies in identifying individuals who pose a threat to national/public security.
• Conduct security checks in accordance with all applicable DHS/USCIS laws and policies.
• Plans and conducts independent research concerning the eligibility and entitlement of persons seeking benefits, employment, and/or legal status under the Immigration and Nationality Act as amended.
• Adjudicate applications and petitions for benefits under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
• Conducts preliminary fact-finding and initiates further action where information indicates fraud has been detected.
• Independently researches, interprets, and analyzes an extensive spectrum of sources including pertinent sections of the law and regulations.
• Screening and vetting to grant or deny complex applications and petitions for immigration benefits based on electronic or paper applications/petitions.

Requirements
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Conditions of employment
Conditions of Employment:

• You must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National to apply for this position
• Successfully pass a Background Investigation including financial disclosure
• You must pass a drug screening
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with the Selective Service
• Political appointees may require OPM approval before on-boarding
• USCIS applies the Telework Enhancement Act of 2010 to its telework program

This position IS NOT considered "essential" for purposes of reporting to work when the facility might otherwise be closed.
Probationary Period: You may be required to serve a probationary period of 1 year.
Qualifications
The qualifications for this position must be met by 11:59 PM (Eastern Time) on 08/28/2026.
Current Federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the lower grade or equivalent grade band in the Federal service. The Time-in-Grade requirement must be met by 11:59 PM (Eastern Time) on 08/28/2026.
GS-05: You qualify at the GS-05 level if you possess three (3) years of general experience, one (1) year of which was equivalent to at least the GS-04 level in the federal government, that equipped you with the skills needed to successfully perform the duties of the position. You must have experience performing the majority of the following duties:

• Analyzing problems, gathering pertinent data and recognizing solutions;
• Planning and organizing work to ensure timely completion;
• Communicating clearly, both orally and in writing. OR
• You may substitute successful completion of a Bachelor's degree or a full 4-year course of study in any field leading to a Bachelor's degree for the experience required at the GS-05 grade level. This education must have been obtained from an accredited college or university. One year of full-time undergraduate study is defined as 30 semester or 45 quarter hours.

GS-07: You qualify at the GS-07 level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience, which is equivalent to at least the GS-05 level in the federal government, that equipped you with the skills needed to successfully perform the duties of the position. You must have experience performing the majority of the following duties:

• Performing preliminary examinations of applications and petitions for immigration benefits, evaluating evidence and drafting appropriate correspondence;
• Ensuring required supporting documentation is included in application package(s) and applying necessary immigration laws, policies and procedures;
• Reviewing immigration benefit applications to determine adjudicative decision. OR
• You may substitute successful completion of one year of fulltime graduate education for the experience required at the GS-07 level. This education must have been obtained from an accredited college or university and demonstrate the skills necessary to do the work of the position. Check with your school to determine how many credit hours comprise a year of graduate education. If that information is not available, use 18 semester or 27 quarter hours. OR
• You may also substitute superior academic achievement for the experience required at the GS-07 level. You must have completed the requirements for a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale, class standing in the upper third of a graduating class or major subdivision or membership in a national scholastic honor society.

GS-09: You qualify at the GS-09 level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience, which is equivalent to at least the GS-07 level in the federal government, that equipped you with the skills needed to successfully perform the duties of the position. You must have experience performing the majority of the following duties:

• Examining, evaluating evidence, and analyzing immigration benefits documents received for authenticity;
• Researching, analyzing and applying appropriate immigration laws, policies and procedures;
• Interpreting and applying immigration laws, policies and procedures;
• Adjudicating immigration benefits based on reviews of applications in coordination with policies;
• Assisting individuals applying for immigration benefits that included analyzing documents for authenticity;
• Making final adjudication determinations on complex applications and petitions for immigration benefits; and
• Researches government system to conduct security checks and applicant file searches in accordance with the laws and policies. OR
• You may substitute a Master's degree or two (2) full years of graduate education leading to such a degree in any field, or a J.D. or L.L.B. degree for experience required at the GS-09 grade level. Such education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. Check with your school to determine how many credit hours comprise two years of graduate education. If that information is not available, use 36 semester or 54 quarter hours.

GS-11: You qualify at the GS-11 level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience, which is equivalent to at least the GS-09 level in the federal government, that equipped you with the skills needed to successfully perform the duties of the position. You must have experience performing the majority of the following duties:

• Making final determinations on non-sensitive, routine immigration matters related to the Immigration and Nationality Act, or representing applicants on non-sensitive, routine hearing or appear requests involving immigration matter, that included determining applicant credibility, analyzing evidence, and applying statutory requirements, regulations, judicial and administrative precedents;
• Researching and writing well-organized, complex legal decisions consistent with adjudicative standards and legislation;
• Making final adjudication determinations on complex applications and petitions for immigration benefits;
• Deciding on motions to reopen or reconsider cases; and
• Conducting quality assurance reviews of work completed during the adjudication process to ensure productivity, efficiency, and integrity.OR
• You may substitute a doctoral degree (PhD or equivalent degree) or three (3) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree in any field, or L.L.M. if related for experience at the GS-11 grade level or such education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. Check with your school to determine how many credit hours comprise three years of graduate study. If that information is not available, use 54 semester or 81 quarter hours.

GS-12: You qualify at the GS-12 level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience, which is equivalent to at least the GS-11 level in the federal government, that equipped you with the skills needed to successfully perform the duties of the position. You must have experience performing the majority of the following duties:

• Independently analyzing immigration laws, policies, and precedent decisions;
• Analyzing information and documents to determine credibility and eligibility for immigration benefits;
• Raising new or novel issues for further clarification;
• Making final determinations on sensitive, complex immigration cases involving eligibility for citizenship and immigration benefits, or
  preparing legal briefs or other written memoranda that advocate for a determination in complex hearing or appeal cases;
• Writing final determinations with legal analysis to support decisions;
• Researching and analyzing laws and regulations independently to determine the eligibility and entitlement of immigration benefits;
• Reviewing the adjudication process to ensure it is performed correctly and actively analyze process improvement to enhance the
  efficiency; and
• Resolving technical, complex and sensitive adjudicative issues of a problem or highly visible nature.

Education
Please read the following important information to ensure you submit everything we need to consider your application: It is your responsibility to ensure that you submit your responses and appropriate documentation prior to 08/28/2026. You must upload your resume under the "Resume" category. Resumes submitted under the "Other Documents" category will not be considered. Your most recently submitted resume will be used to determine your qualifications for the position advertised in this announcement. Therefore, your resume must highlight your most relevant, significant experience related to the requirements found in the qualification section of this announcement, as well as any applicable education. Limit your resume to no more than two pages. The USAJOBS database will not allow an applicant to submit an application that includes a resume over two pages. To help ensure your resume remains clear and easy to read, we recommend using margins of at least 0.8 inches and a font size of at least 11 point. Be clear and specific when describing your work history since Human Resources cannot make assumptions regarding your experience. Your application will be rated and ranked based on your responses to the online questions.
Please ensure EACH work history includes ALL of the following information:

• Job Title (include series and grade if Federal Job)
• Duties (be specific in describing your duties)
• Employer's name and address
• Supervisor name and phone number
• Start and end dates including month, day and year (e.g. June 18 2007 to April 05 2008)
• Start and end dates for each grade/pay level if you've held a federal position.
• Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week)
• Salary

Determining length of General or Specialized Experience is dependent on the above information and failure to provide the above information may result in a finding of ineligible.
Note: Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration.
EDUCATIONAL SUBSTITUTION: There is no educational substitution at the GS-12 grade level.
COMBINING QUALIFYING EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION (at the GS-05 to GS-11 levels only): If you do not qualify based on experience or education alone, you may be able to qualify based on a combination of your experience and education. For more information on combining education and experience, visit the following website: General Schedule Qualification Standards. Transcript required: If you don't submit a transcript, we will not use your education when deciding if you're qualified for the job. For verification purposes, the transcript submitted must include your name and educational institution.
Training: Selected candidates are required to attend and successfully complete the USCIS Immigration Service Officer Basic (ISO BASIC) Training Program located with the USCIS Academy Training Center in Charleston, SC. The ISO BASIC Training Program is approximately 5-6 weeks of academic instruction on the Immigration and Nationality Act, Code of Federal Regulations, and other immigration-related topics. Failure to meet the minimum exam average by the end of the course is grounds for removal from the position.
Voluntary Separation Incentive