While the US government attempts to provide services in a reasonable and fair way, there are times when a government employee is rude or abusive. The government recognizes that sometimes its employees do not provide the kind of service required, and has instituted procedures for filing complaints. While many immigrants often hesitate to file such complaints, fearing that it could result in retaliation, they are necessary to keep the INS informed about the actions of its employees, so that it can properly discipline those who need it, and so that it can institute better training programs.

Complaints against the INS can be made in a number of ways. Those sent to the Justice Department Office of the Inspector General must be made in writing and sent to the following address:

Office of the Inspector General
US Department of Justice
Investigations Division
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Room 4706
Washington, DC 20530

The OIG is the Justice Department’s internal quality control branch.

Complaints may also be filed with the INS Office of Internal Audit. These complaints must also be sent by mail. Complaints will be kept confidential, unlike those made to the OIG. The address to which complaints should be sent is:

Director, Office of Internal Audit
US Immigration and Naturalization Service
425 I St., NW
Room 3260
Washington, DC 20536