Affiliating directly with USCIS

Affiliating directly with USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) or the U.S. government in an official capacity is highly restricted. However, there are lawful ways to partner, collaborate, or serve within the framework without misrepresenting your brand as a government agency.

Here’s a breakdown of your options:

✅ 1. Become an Official USCIS Recognized Organization

This is for nonprofit legal service providers helping immigrants with citizenship or immigration processes.

• How: Apply through the Department of Justice’s Recognition and Accreditation Program (DOJ R&A)

• Benefits: Your organization gets listed as an official legal aid provider on USCIS/DOJ websites

• More Info: https://www.justice.gov/eoir/recognition-accreditation-program

✅ 2. Use USCIS Public Resources (Legally)

You can offer resources based on official info, without claiming to be affiliated.

• Use public domain content (e.g. the civics test questions, naturalization guides)

• Provide clear citations and disclaimers like:

  “This website is not affiliated with USCIS or any U.S. government agency. We provide educational support to assist new Americans on their path to citizenship.”

✅ 3. Become an E-Verify Employer or Agent

For businesses, being an E-Verify partner (via the Department of Homeland Security) lets you legally say you’re registered with a government-run employment verification system.

• More: https://www.e-verify.gov

✅ 4. Get Government Contracts or Grants

You can apply to become a government contractor to provide services to USCIS or DHS through:

• SAM.gov – Register your business on the System for Award Management

• Look for grants (e.g. USCIS Citizenship and Integration Grant Program) or RFPs

• Partner with nonprofits who receive federal grants

⚠️ What You Can’t Do (Unless You Are the Government)

• Use names like “USCIS”, “Department of Homeland Security”, or seal/emblems in your branding

• Represent your platform as a substitute for official filings (unless you’re a legal provider)

• Use .gov domain (reserved only for government entities)

🧭 Recommended for You:

If you’re planning a platform like NewUSCitizens.com, the best approach is:

✅ Private Educational Platform + Legal Disclaimer
✅ Optional Legal Team Partnership (immigration attorneys or DOJ-accredited reps)
✅ Use public domain USCIS content + original tutorials, classes, and materials