The Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) was a part of the United States Department of Justice that handled legal and illegal immigration and naturalization cases. Most functions of the Immigration and Naturalization Service were transferred to three new agencies within the newly created Department of Homeland Security. The administration of immigration services that includes permanent residence, naturalization, and asylum are under a separate bureau however. The purpose of the Immigration and Naturalization Service was to protect and serve the process of naturalization whereby an individual can become a citizen of the United States. This organization also went after illegal immigrants and their collection of government mandated benefits.