USCIS Unveils New Strategic Plan to Reinforce a Diverse Workforce

WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has officially launched its 2023-2026 Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Strategic Plan (PDF, 3.28 MB), marking a significant step toward embedding a culture rooted in DEIA principles within the agency's daily operations. This initiative aligns with USCIS's core value to advocate for people and is in line with the recently unveiled USCIS FY 2023-2026 Strategic Plan (PDF, 6.81 MB), where the agency commits to fostering a DEIA culture by investing in its workforce.

USCIS Director Ur M. Jaddou emphasized, “As an agency that engages with individuals from around the world and welcomes them into a nation that values diversity and equal opportunity, it's crucial that we uphold these same principles within the USCIS workforce. This plan reaffirms our dedication to cultivating a culture of DEIA within USCIS, where our employees feel respected and included. We take pride in joining this government-wide initiative to build a dedicated workforce that mirrors the diversity of the United States.”

The DEIA Strategic Plan is the result of collaborative efforts among employees from various corners of the agency, including union partners. The plan outlines six primary goals:

1. Leadership Engagement – Ensuring consistent modeling and championing of DEIA principles by leaders.
2. Diversity – Attracting and developing a representative workforce across all organizational levels.
3. Equity – Cultivating an equitable workplace that provides employees with the necessary resources for success.
4. Inclusion – Fostering a culture prioritizing inclusivity and a sense of belonging.
5. Accessibility – Modernizing infrastructures to establish and maintain an accessible environment—physically, mentally, and technologically.
6. Safer Workplace – Upholding a workplace that is both safe and respectful.

Prioritizing DEIA within the workforce is not merely a USCIS objective; it is a government-wide imperative. President Biden's Executive Order on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in the Federal Workforce (EO 14035) underscores the commitment to shaping a federal workforce that mirrors the nation's full diversity and enhances employment opportunities for all, particularly individuals from historically underrepresented communities.