How DS Protects the Integrity of U.S. Passports and Visas

Diplomatic Security has investigated passport and visa fraud since early in the 20th century. After September 11, border security became even more critical to our national safety. Through a cadre of special agents and coordination with other federal and international law enforcement agencies, DS protects the integrity of the U.S. passport and visa—undoubtedly the most valuable travel and identity documents in the world.

Nearly 7 million U.S. passports are issued every year. Last year, Diplomatic Security investigated 3,200 new cases of passport fraud and made 642 arrests. Currently, there are more than 400 active arrest warrants for passport fraud.

Who commits passport fraud? Those illegally seeking citizenship or legal status in the United States, possibly to commit terrorism or other criminal activity such as drug trafficking, alien smuggling, or financial fraud. Although some passport alteration exists, fraud today is more likely to involve submission of false support documents, such as birth certificates, to obtain a real U.S. passport.

Visa fraud is also coming under closer scrutiny after 9/11. Visa fraud is most commonly committed not by counterfeiting but through brokering the sale to, or facilitating the issuance process for, unqualified visa applicants.

Last year, DS arrested 90 individuals on visa fraud charges. Of these, 16 arrests were the result of four large-scale visa malfeasance investigative operations at the U.S. Embassies in Prague and Colombo, and U.S. Consulates in Nuevo Laredo and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico.

Most recently, DS deployed 25 agents to high-fraud posts overseas to work specifically with the host government law enforcement to bolster border security capabilities and prevent ineligible persons from entering the United States. In the 6 months since this program’s establishment, host government law enforcement has arrested nearly 200 individuals, and DS has opened more than 2,000 fraud investigations.

Visa and passport fraud are federal felonies, punishable by up to 10 years in prison with longer sentences for fraud related to narcotics or acts of international terrorism.