Kika Scott is currently the Acting Deputy Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Experience and Achievements

Kika Scott has recently taken on the prestigious role of acting Deputy Director for United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), starting her tenure on January 20, 2025. Before this significant appointment, Scott dedicated herself as the Chief Financial Officer in the Office of the Chief Financial Officer, a role she held since May 27, 2019.

In her most recent position as the Deputy Chief Financial Officer for USCIS, Scott played a crucial role in ensuring the effective management of the agency's financial resources. She was entrusted with providing comprehensive executive oversight across a wide array of financial functions, including financial management, the development, and maintenance of financial systems, budget formulation, accounting practices, program analysis, and evaluation. 

Her responsibilities further extended to implementing robust internal controls, overseeing cash management, and establishing credit and debt management policies, all while ensuring adherence to compliance guidelines and addressing audit recommendations with corrective actions.

Before her impactful tenure at USCIS, Scott made significant strides as the Budget Officer and Director of the Office of Budget and Program Performance (OBPP) for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). In this capacity, she skillfully managed resources exceeding $6 billion, effectively overseeing their utilization to support ICE’s diverse operations, which included law enforcement, legal proceedings, and mission-critical support services. Scott was instrumental in enhancing her office's alignment with operational missions by pioneering innovative workplace strategies such as workforce planning, performance assessments, mission analytics, and investment prioritization tools, significantly improving operational efficiency.

Before her notable contributions to ICE, Scott gained valuable experience at the National Center for Health Statistics under the Department of Health and Human Services, where she served from 2000 to 2006, enriching her expertise in managing large-scale projects and resources.

Pedagogy

Kika Scott boasts an impressive educational background, holding a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from the University of Maryland. She further advanced her knowledge and skills by earning a Master’s in Business Administration with a specialization in Finance. Additionally, she holds a Master’s in Management from the esteemed Johns Hopkins University, equipping her with a robust foundation in both technical and managerial disciplines.