The joint DS-CA Vulnerability Assessment Unit analyzes consular data, systems, and processes to identify potential systemic vulnerabilities within issuance procedures and specific instances of processing irregularities. The CA-funded VAU currently is staffed by both CA officials and DS Special Agents and analysts, and is an excellent example of the DS-CA commitment to combating visa fraud.
The VAU continues to collaborate with technology developers to maximize data-mining efforts within the CCD. Application of database technology and techniques, such as statistical analysis and modeling, uncovers hidden patterns and subtle relationships within the CCD. VAU's risk analysis program can conduct system searches for specific, questionable real-time data as they are entered into the database and notifies VAU electronically of the exact circumstances of each visa issuance.
Automated reporting and other experience-based queries detect anomalies. Analysis of questionable patterns, which can detect anomalies and potential breakdowns in internal controls at posts, results in referrals to CA and DS for appropriate action. These initiatives have proven to be an effective and valuable tool for multiple DS investigations. Success for the VAU program will require a commitment to resources and technological innovation in order to keep pace with the growth of DS's international and domestic criminal programs.
Increase DS Participation in the Consular Management Assistance Team Reviews
The Consular Management Assistance Team (CMAT) program was created by CA to assist consular sections in managing the myriad of changes, guidance, and operating procedures issued in the post-9/11 environment. CMATs conduct reviews of both consular operations and section management that significantly influence national security with increased resources. DS Special Agents will participate more frequently in these periodic reviews of visa and passport issuance operations and conduct follow-up investigations into related criminal violations. CMATs offer immediate guidance and solutions to difficulties that arise. Post-specific recommendations are shared throughout CA, maximizing the knowledge gleaned and lessons learned from the handling of challenging situations. The CMAT initiative is an innovative analysis-feedback program that has the potential to shape the Department's extensive quality-control and enhancement efforts.
Create a DS Visa and Passport Operational Review Program
The absence of a component within DS to perform security inspections has limited our ability to enhance security procedures, increase efficiency, and validate Department policies that affect applicant screening and the processing and adjudication of applications. The IRTPA required that the Visa and Passport Security Program incorporate an Inspection of Applications component to "randomly inspect visa and passport applications for accuracy, efficiency, and fraud."
The establishment of the Visa and Passport Operational Review (VAPOR) program will allow DS to perform security inspections of applications and will both enhance and complement the ongoing efforts of the Department. The DS VAPOR program's systemic and random security inspections of the State Department's visa and passport applications will help identify threats to the integrity of U.S. travel documents. Team inspections will focus on posts that are highly vulnerable to terrorist threats and travel document fraud. Such inspections can be conducted in conjunction with CMAT reviews. Additional security inspection support will be employed to respond to intelligence about threats or terrorist activities. The VAPOR team concept will require extensive coordination between DS and CA. Unit composition will build on the successful DS-CA partnership model of CMATs and the VAU.
Table of Contents
Mission Statement | Introductory Letter From Assistant Secretary Griffin | The Bureau of Diplomatic Security: A Brief History | Visa and Passport Fraud: An Overview | Introduction | Strategic Goal 1 | Strategic Goal 2 | Strategic Goal 3 | Conclusion | Appendix: Operation Triple X
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