UNCLASSIFIED (U)

9 FAM 602.2

(U) Working with Other Parts of the United States Government

(CT:VISA-927; 08-16-2019)
(Office of Origin: CA/VO/L/R)

9 fam 602.2-1 (U) working with u.s. government officials at post

(CT:VISA-871; 06-24-2019)

(U) See 9 FAM 601.8 for information on handling referrals from representatives of other U.S. government entities overseas. See 9 FAM 603.2 on sharing visa-related information with DHS and other U.S. agencies.

9 FAM 602.2-2 (U) working with the department of homeland security

9 FAM 602.2-2(A) (U) Department of Homeland Security Overview

9 FAM 602.2-2(A)(1) (U) Department of Homeland Security - Mission, Organization, and Relationship to Department

(CT:VISA-871; 06-24-2019)

a. (U) Mission and Scope of DHS Work: The vision of homeland security is to ensure a homeland that is safe, secure, and resilient against terrorism and other hazards. The missions of the Department of Homeland Security include:

(1) (U) Preventing terrorism and enhancing security;

(2) (U) Securing and managing our borders;

(3) (U) Enforcing and administering our immigration laws;

(4) (U) Safeguarding and securing cyberspace; and

(5) (U) Strengthening national preparedness and ensuring resilience to disasters.

b. (U) Overview of DHS Branches and Entities which deal with immigration:

(1) (U) The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) supports our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

(2) (U) The Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) mission is to train those who protect the homeland. Utilizing a consolidated training model, the FLETC provides basic and advanced training to 96 federal partner organizations and thousands of state, local, tribal, and international law enforcement officers and agents at FLETCs four domestic training sites, at the International Law Enforcement Academies (ILEA), and at export locations throughout the world. The FLETC engages in ongoing training review, development, and research in coordination with stakeholders at all levels of law enforcement to ensure its training continues to meet its partners needs.

(3) (U) The Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) is responsible for using information and intelligence from multiple sources to identify and assess current and future threats to the United States.

(4) (U) The Office of Strategy, Policy, and Plans develops, coordinates, and advocates DHS short- and long-term policy and strategy, integrating robust analytic effort to support DHS Senior Leadership decision-making; synchronizes implementation of guidance by turning policy and strategy into resource and operational guidance and plans, and synchronizing efforts to turn those plans into investments, operations, and results; and effectively communicate DHS policy, strategy, and plans to interagency, domestic, and international partners, and accurately assess and incorporate their equities in DHS policy, strategy, and plans.

(5) (U) The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) protects the nation's transportation systems to ensure freedom of movement for people and commerce.

(6) (U) The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) secures Americas promise as a nation of immigrants by promoting lawful immigration, effectively administering the immigration system, and promoting the integration of lawful immigrants into American society.

(7) (U) The United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) safeguards Americas borders, protecting the public from dangerous people and materials while enhancing the Nations global economic competitiveness by enabling legitimate trade and travel.

(8) (U) The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) promotes homeland security and public safety through the criminal and civil enforcement of federal laws governing border control, customs, trade, and immigration.

c. (U) State and DHS Relationship Related to Visas:

(1) (U) The Department of State, through its consular sections, is responsible for visa processing and determining if an applicant is eligible to receive a visa. Once in the United States, a nonimmigrant or immigrant visa holder falls under the jurisdiction of DHS. USCIS is responsible for the adjudication of all petitions, the authorization of permission to work in the United States, the issuance of extensions of stay, and change or adjustment of an applicant's status while the applicant is in the United States.

(2) (U) DHS has delegated certain functions to consular officers where the DHS components which would normally handle those functions are not present, or where those components are present, but do not offer public counter service. All posts without an appropriate DHS component -- USCIS, CBP, or ICE, including a public counter for some services -- must provide services on behalf of DHS as outlined in this section and throughout 9 FAM. Posts at which an appropriate DHS component offers public counter service must refer applicants seeking DHS services to that office.

9 FAM 602.2-2(A)(2) (U) Consular Officer Interactions with DHS, Services Performed on Behalf of DHS

(CT:VISA-927; 08-16-2019)

a. (U) Introduction: Many visa-related functions and services require interactions and cooperative relationships with DHS. Referrals to relevant sections in 9 FAM describing these functional relationships are provided below:

(1) (U) Working Together Overseas: See 9 FAM 601.8 for information on handling referrals from DHS officers overseas. See 9 FAM 603.2 on sharing visa information with DHS and other U.S. agencies. See also 9 FAM 601.10 on DHS involvement in fraud investigations.

(2) (U) Petitions, Classification Status, Work Authorization: See 9 FAM 602.2-2(B)(2) regarding USCIS role in accepting and adjudicating petitions for NIV and IV classification, and 9 FAM 602.2-2(A)(2) paragraph c below regarding consular assistance with DHS pre-approval reports. See also 9 FAM 602.2-2(B)(3) on changes and extensions of status and work authorization. 9 FAM 502.7-3(D) describes DHS role reviewing K visa petitioners (Adam Walsh checks).

(3) (U) Clearances: See 9 FAM 303.1, 9 FAM 303.3, and 9 FAM 303.5 for information on working with other agencies on clearances, and 9 FAM 603.1 on protecting ineligibility-related information that you receive from other agencies.

(4) (U) Waivers: See 9 FAM 305 for information on DHS waivers of ineligibilities and documentation requirements.

(5) (U) Visa Waiver Program: The Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State, is authorized to designate the countries eligible to participate in the VWP. See 9 FAM 201.1-4(C) for additional information on DHS role in evaluating countries eligibility to participate in the Visa Waiver Program.

(6) (U) Lawful Permanent Residents, Parolees, Refugees, and Asylees: For more information on DHS role in establishing eligibility for status, documenting, and dealing with other issues related to Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs), see 9 FAM 202.2. For similar information on DHS role with refugees, see 9 FAM 203.3-3; with parole cases, see 9 FAM 202.3-4; with asylees, see 9 FAM 203.2-2.

(7) (U) U.S. Citizens Replacement Certificates of Citizenship or Naturalization: Information on replacing these certificates is available at the USCIS website.

(8) (U) Parole: See 9 FAM 202.3 for information on DHS and cases involving advance parole, humanitarian parole and Significant Public Benefit Parole.

(9) (U) Port of Entry Actions: See 9 FAM 602.2-2(C) below for information on information provided to consular officers as a result of DHS Customs and Border Protection actions at ports of entry (I-275 Withdrawal of Application for Admission, ADIS system).

b. (U) Fingerprint Collection on Behalf of DHS:

(1) (U) General Guidance on Fingerprint Collection:

(a) (U) Do not collect fingerprints for DHS services where there is a USCIS, CBP, or ICE office physically located in the Embassy or Consulate and that DHS agency offers counter service. Instead, collect fingerprints upon DHS request only when no DHS office is available to do so. Contact your post liaison officer in CA/VO/F with questions regarding the collection of fingerprints on behalf of DHS. Fingerprints may be collected by any consular section employee.

(b) (U) ACRS code 98 should be used to record a no fee service in the cashiering system when post provides paper and ink fingerprinting services on behalf of USCIS in situations where the applicant(s) may have already paid a biometric fee as part of the petition filing process, and do not have to pay any additional fees. In all other situations and at posts with a DHS office that is able to collect fingerprints, but where DHS is unable to facilitate cashiering services, consular sections may collect the fingerprinting fee on behalf of USCIS. ACRS code 80 should be used to record these services.

(c) (U) Do not use the nonimmigrant visa (NIV) or immigrant visa overseas (IVO) systems to collect or check fingerprints electronically for DHS services. Instead, collect ink prints using the Fingerprint Card (Form FD-258).

(d) (U) Only collect ink prints when requested by USCIS and correctly accounted for in ACRS using codes 80 or 98.

(e) (U) Only collect and mail ink fingerprint cards to USCIS for processing when associated with adoption cases or T and U petitions. All other fingerprint cards should be sent to the requesting DHS by the applicant.

(i) (U) For intercountry adoption related filings:

(A) (U) For I-600/As pending with an International Office (IO) abroad, the fingerprints can be taken on a fingerprint card and mailed to the Nebraska Service Center to be scanned and uploaded into CPMS:

(U) Package shipped overnight by a private service provider:

USCIS Nebraska Service Center

Attn: FD-258 Team

850 S Street

Lincoln, NE 68508

(U) Package sent via regular mail:

USCIS Nebraska Service Center

PO BOX 82521

Lincoln, NE 68501-2521

(B) (U) For I-600/As and I-800/As pending with the National Benefits Center (NBC), fingerprint cards can be mailed to:

USCIS National Benefits Center

Attn:  Adoptions

Department of Homeland Security

7600B W 119th Street

Overland Park KS  66213

(C) (U) Prospective adoptive parents (PAPs) and adult members of the household (AHMs) may request a one-time, no-fee renewal of prints that were already captured. PAPs and AHMs may make the request directly to NBC or USCIS office abroad, and USCIS can typically refresh the prints electronically without recapturing.

(ii) (U) For T and U visas: Follow the guidance in 9 FAM 402.6 and mail to:

USCIS Vermont Service Center

Attn: MRD

USCIS/DHS

75 Lower Welden St.

St. Albans, VT 05479-0001

(2) (U) Fingerprint collection for naturalization purposes:

(a) (U) USCIS strongly prefers applicants to reschedule and attend their biometric appointment at a domestic USCIS office if they will miss their scheduled appointment due to a short trip or stay outside of the United States. This is due to the fact that domestically fingerprints are captured electronically and are processed more quickly than paper and ink prints that are mailed in. USCIS only allows for fingerprint capture abroad for active duty military personnel and their qualified spouses and children, and for individuals who qualify for naturalization under INA Section 319(b) who provide a USCIS notice requesting they submit fingerprints, and who provide compelling extenuating circumstances that travel back to the United States would cause undue burden. In rare 319(b) cases when compelling extenuating circumstances exist, consular sections are authorized to take prints. Please confer with your CA/VO/F liaison before providing this service.

(b) (U) If prints are taken at a consular section and mailed in, consular officers should remind the applicant to inform the domestic USCIS office where the original biometric appointment had been scheduled, so that the case will not be closed due to a failure to appear. Consular officers should further ensure that the applicants A# number is added onto each FD-258 fingerprint card to avoid confusion and delays.

(c) (U) Only Section 319(b) applicants or active duty military personnel and qualified spouse and children applicants who have a USCIS notice advising them of a scheduled biometric appointment may be fingerprinted. If the applicant is in possession of a USCIS notice then all applicable fees have already been collected, and no further fees are due. The Economy Act covers fingerprinting on behalf of USCIS, and the service should be tracked as a no-fee service in ACRS, under code 98, for accounting purposes. If the applicant does not have a USCIS notice, then fingerprints should not be collected. This applies to private citizens as well as to military personnel.

(d) (U) The applicant should send the card to the lockbox as part of their initial application or return the card to the National Benefit Center (NBC) according to the directions on the Request for Evidence.

(3) (U) Fingerprinting Procedures:

(a) (U) Verify the identity of the person being fingerprinted;

(b) (U) Have the visa applicant sign Form FD-258, Applicant Fingerprint Card; type in any aliases; and have the person taking the fingerprints sign and date the card;

(c) (U) Print each finger in the correct sequence (the card indicates right and left hand). Using light pressure, roll each finger from nail to nail to ensure legibility. If the prints are illegible, the FBI will reject them for processing, causing a delay in the processing of the applicants case and unnecessary expense for the Bureau, (see the detailed instructions in the link provided on rolling fingerprints in order to record legible fingerprints);

(d) (U) Complete the lower blocks by taking simultaneous impressions as noted on the card. (The best impressions are obtained when the applicants fingers are clean and dry.); and

(e) (U) To avoid delays, verify that the prints are clear, complete and legible before the applicant leaves the building.

(4) (U) Preparing Fingerprint Card: The employee taking the fingerprints must prepare the card for mailing as indicated below:

(a) (U) Use the proper Form FD-258, Applicant Fingerprint Card;

(b) (U) Use black ink for the handwritten portion;

(c) (U) Posts should be sure to put their post code (posts three-letter abbreviation) in the OCA block;

(d) (U) The ORI block must show USNHNVC1Z for NIV cases and USNHNVC0Z for IV cases; and

(e) (U) Complete all required fields on the card. These fields are: subjects name (last, first, middle) and any aliases, subjects date of birth (if a date of birth is unknown, 0101 with an approximate year of birth), sex and any other descriptive data of the applicant, Reason Fingerprinted (include USCIS Form number), and Miscellaneous No. (include subjects A#).

(5) (U) Ordering Fingerprint Cards: Standard stock Form FD-258 (blue ink) may be ordered from the General Services Division of the Bureau of Consular Affairs (CA/EX/GSD). If post prefers to use the treated (inkless) version of Form FD-258, posts should request the cards directly from:

DACTEK INTERNATIONAL, INC.

8117 Orion Avenue

Van Nuys, CA 91406

Phone: 818-787-1901, Fax: 818-988-9776

c. (U) Pre-Approval Investigation Reports:

(1) (U) Post may conduct investigations related to eligibility of visa applicants (see 9 FAM 601.10) or, on behalf of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in support of petition or adjustment of status adjudication. This section provides guidance on preparation of reports including investigation results for DHS. See 9 FAM 603 for additional information on protection and release of visa-related information.

(2) (U) Report Preparation:

(a) (U) When preparing a report, keep in mind that not all information will be protected by INA 222(f). See 602.2-2(A)(2) paragraph c(3) below.

(b) (U) Extracts from or copies of public records of foreign governments supplied to DHS must be provided in duly authenticated form. Oral statements furnishing credible information must, whenever possible, be reduced to writing and sworn to before a consular officer. In accordance with the Schedule of Fees in 22 CFR 22.1 Item 45, no charge is to be made for notarial service on documents required by other U.S. Government agencies.

(3) (U) Confidentiality in Pre-Approval Investigation Reports:

(a) (U) Applicability of INA 222(f) Confidentiality Protections:

(i) (U) Investigation reports requested by DHS prior to petition approval or discretionary adjustment of status do not pertain to the issuance or refusal of a visa or permit to enter the United States, with the exception of information taken directly from existing files. Therefore, with the exception of information taken from visa files, pre-approval investigation reports do not receive the confidentiality protection of INA 222(f).

(ii) (U) Reports, such as fraud reports, which are initiated by consular posts in connection with the processing of a visa application following receipt of an approved petition, generally are protected from release pursuant to INA 222(f). However, there are instances when it is necessary for DHS to release such reports to the petitioner in order to adequately administer the immigration laws. For example, when DHS wishes to revoke a petition, by regulation, it must inform the petitioner of the evidence upon which it bases the revocation in order that the petitioner be given an opportunity to rebut the adverse evidence. In such instances, CA/VO and DHS have agreed that DHS may release consular reports to the petitioner.

(b) (U) Protecting Classified and Sensitive Information:

(i) (U) Since some pre-approval reports submitted to DHS are not accorded the protection provided by INA 222(f), you must ensure the protection of information that might prejudice U.S. Government interests. An unclassified report to DHS must in no case contain material that could not be divulged to the alien in the course of a hearing or proceeding.

(ii) (U) You must draft reports without derogatory characterizations or other language that could create problems if presented to the petitioner. All reports must be prepared keeping in mind the safeguards for protecting classified information and other sensitive matters, such as identities of informants.

(iii) (U) Names and information which may identify sensitive or confidential sources and information from visa files protected by INA 222(f) must be positioned in separate paragraphs which begin with the capitalized heading "NOT FOR RELEASE." If the sources of adverse information are sensitive, they might be identified in the body of the report as a highly reliable source and the name listed in a separate paragraph marked Not for Release.

(iv) (U) If confidential sources can be compromised even with the segregation of certain material in protected paragraphs, you must ensure that the entire report is appropriately marked and classified.

(v) (U) DHS routinely releases summaries of classified investigation reports that were used to deny a visa petition. Where release of such summaries may compromise a sensitive source, you must begin a pre-approval report with the phrase "SUMMARY NOT RELEASABLE; IDENTITY OF CONFIDENTIAL SOURCE AT RISK. If only a portion of the report could compromise the sensitive source, you must begin the first paragraph with the phrase "SUMMARY NOT RELEASABLE (identify paragraphs that should not be summarized); IDENTITY OF CONFIDENTIAL SOURCE AT RISK. "You must follow the same procedures for protecting information released from visa records under INA 222(f), and use the phrase "INFORMATION FROM VISA RECORDS" instead of "identity of confidential source at risk."

(c) (U) Requests for Release of Reports or Information Contained in the Reports: Since the Department acts as the DHS agent in conducting these investigations, once the investigation reports are forwarded to DHS they become part of the DHS records system. As a result, the posts must refer all requests for the release of such reports to DHS.

9 FAM 602.2-2(B) (U) U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

9 FAM 602.2-2(B)(1) (U) Overview of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

(CT:VISA-271; 12-14-2016)

(U) USCIS is the government agency that oversees lawful immigration to the United States. Among the services they provide are citizenship and naturalization processes, immigration of family members, employment in the U.S. by individuals from other countries, E-Verify, humanitarian programs, intercountry adoptions, and civic integration of immigrants.

9 FAM 602.2-2(B)(2) (U) USCIS and Petitions

(CT:VISA-871; 06-24-2019)

a. (U) In order for a person to enter the United States in a petition-based nonimmigrant classification, as well as for most immigrant visa categories, the prospective employer or family member (petitioner) must first obtain an approved petition from USCIS before the beneficiary of the petition may apply for a visa.

b. (U) NIVs: For information on NIV classifications requiring DHS-approved petitions, see 9 FAM 402.10 (H visas), 9 FAM 402.12 (L visas), 9 FAM 402.13 (O visas), 9 FAM 402.14 (P visas), 9 FAM 502.7 (fianc, quasi-IV visas), 9 FAM 402.15 (Q visas), 9 FAM 402.16 (R visas), 9 FAM 402.6 (S, T, and U visas), and 9 FAM 402.18 (CW and E-2C visas for Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands).

c. (U) IVs, Quasi-IVs: See 9 FAM 504.2 for information on DHS role in handling IV petitions, and 9 FAM 502.3-3 and 9 FAM 502.3-4 for more on DHS role in petitions and processing of immigrant orphan and Convention adoptee cases. 9 FAM 502.2 (family-based IVs), 9 FAM 502.4 (employment-based IVs), and 9 FAM 502.5 (special immigrants), 9 FAM 502.7-3 (K visas) and 9 FAM 502.7-4 (N visas) address DHS requirements for, and adjudication of, petitions for IV classification. 9 FAM 504.2-8 addresses DHS return, revocation and reaffirmation of IV petitions.

d. (U) Inquiries About Status of Petitions: Posts normally should not send messages to the Department or directly to DHS, whether or not by interested party, inquiring about the status of petitions. As an alternative, the consular officer should advise an alien seeking such assistance to ask the petitioner to obtain the information on the pending visa petition directly from DHS. Petitioners should direct such information inquiries to the Service Center with which the petition was filed. Posts may submit to the Department cases which have public relations significance, however, stating the reasons for such action in the posts message.

9 FAM 602.2-2(B)(3) (U) Changes and Extension of Status (USCIS)

(CT:VISA-479; 12-20-2017)

a. (U) Change in Nonimmigrant Classification After Admission:

(1) (U) If an alien admitted into the United States in one nonimmigrant classification desires to engage in another principal activity (one appropriate to a different nonimmigrant classification), the alien may apply to DHS for a change of nonimmigrant classification pursuant to INA 248. Information on how to submit a change of classification can be found at the USCIS Web site.

(2) (U) An alien admitted under certain nonimmigrant classes is, however, ineligible for a change of status, specifically one entering:

(a) (U) Under INA 101(a)(15)(C), INA 101(a)(15)(D), or INA 101(a)(15)(K);

(b) (U) As an alien in transit without a visa under INA 238(d);

(c) (U) Under INA 101(a)(15)(J) for graduate medical education or training (whether or not the foreign residence requirement is applicable);

(d) (U) Under INA 101(a)(15)(J) (other than under (3) above) who is subject to the foreign residence requirement and for whom that requirement has not been waived, unless the change is to a classification under INA 101(a)(15)(A) or INA 101(a)(15)(G);

(e) (U) Under the Visa Waiver Program; or

(f) (U) Under the Guam Visa Waiver Program.

b. (U) Extension of Stay:

(1) (U) A nonimmigrant in the United States who wishes to remain beyond the period of time for which initially admitted by DHS must apply to DHS for an extension of stay before the authorized period of stay expires.

(2) (U) Extension of Stay for Nonimmigrants in H or L Status:

(a) (U) In every case in which an employer or trainer seeks H-1, H-2, H-3, or L-1 classification initially for an alien or group of aliens, DHS requires the filing of a petition, Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, or Form I-129-S, Nonimmigrant Petition Based on Blanket L Petition, as appropriate, in the alien(s) behalf. Aliens admitted to the United States in H or L status, or who acquire that status after admission, are authorized a period of stay not to exceed the validity of the petition. Extensions may be granted, following application by the employer on Form I-129 for extension of both petition validity and stay by the alien, if they intend to continue performing the same services for, or receiving training from, the same petitioner.

(b) (U) DHS uses Form I-797, Notice of Action, when a change of status or extension of stay is approved for an H or L alien. The Form I-797-A is sent along with the requested classification. The Form I-797-B is used to notify the Department of State or U.S. Customs and Border Protection of an approved petition. The Form I-797-C notifies the petitioner that the petition is approved or an extension is granted. The petitioner may furnish the form to the employee to use to facilitate entry into the United States in H or L status, either initially or after a temporary absence abroad during the authorized stay in H or L status. The Form I-797 is also used for a blanket L approval.

(3) (U) There is a fee for an extension of stay application in most nonimmigrant classifications. Some visa applicants period of authorized stay will be restricted because of the limited duration of their passports (see 9 FAM 403.9-3(B)). Information on fees is available at the USCIS website.

c. (U) Authorization to Work in the United States:

(1) (U) U.S. employers must check to make sure all employees, regardless of citizenship or national origin, are allowed to work in the United States. Individuals who are not U.S. citizens or a permanent residents may fall into one of three categories of persons who are eligible for employment authorization: Category 1: Those who have authorization to work in the United States as a result of nonimmigrant status; Category 2: Those who have authorization to work for a specific employer as a result of nonimmigrant status; Category 3: Those in a category which requires the individual to file for and obtain permission in order to be authorized work. Some of those that fall in the first and third categories (including those who have a pending Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status) are required to apply for work authorization and an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) using the Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization with USCIS prior to seeking work in the United States.

(2) (U) Acceptance of Employment by Dependent of Treaty Alien: While DHS is not in a position to authorize the nonimmigrant spouse and children of a treaty trader to accept employment while in E status, the dependents will not be deemed to be deportable for having violated status if employed. So long as the principal E nonimmigrant is maintaining status, no action will be taken to require their departure. However, DHS does consider aliens who accept such unauthorized employment to be ineligible for later adjustment of status to permanent resident. (See 8 CFR 245.1(b).)

9 FAM 602.2-2(B)(4) (U) Citizenship and Naturalization (USCIS)

(CT:VISA-651; 07-27-2018)

a. (U) Information on nonimmigrant visas for individuals seeking naturalization in the U.S. is included in 9 FAM 402.2-4(B)(6), (7) and (8). Citizenship for orphans is covered in 9 FAM 502.3-3 and 9 FAM 502.3-4(C)(2) covers citizenship for Convention adoptees.

b. (U) See also the USCIS website for additional information on the USCIS role in citizenship and naturalization cases.

9 FAM 602.2-2(B)(5) (U) Regulatory Fees Collected by USCIS

(CT:VISA-271; 12-14-2016)

(U) Consular officers may be questioned regarding fees charged for services rendered by USCIS. A list of DHS fees can be found in 8 CFR 103.7 and the USCIS website.

9 FAM 602.2-2(C) (U) Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

(CT:VISA-871; 06-24-2019)

a. (U) Overview of CBP Services: With more than 60,000 employees, CBP is one of the world's largest law enforcement organizations and is charged with keeping terrorists and their weapons out of the U.S. while facilitating lawful international travel and trade. As the world's first full-service border entity, CBP takes a comprehensive approach to border management and control, combining customs, immigration, border security, and agricultural protection into one coordinated and supportive activity. The men and women of CBP are responsible for enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws and regulations.

b. (U) CBP at U.S. Ports of Entry:

(1) (U) Admission into the United States (Overview): All persons arriving at a port-of-entry to the United States are subject to inspection by CBP officers. CBP officers will conduct the Immigration, Customs and Agriculture components of the Inspections process. Additional information regarding the inspection process is located in the Code of Federal Regulations, see, e.g., 8 CFR 235, Inspection of Persons Applying for Admission. Aliens seeking to lawfully enter into the United States must establish their admissibility to the satisfaction of the CBP officer. This is done as part of the inspection process. Many of the reasons that a traveler who is applying for admission into the United States could be inadmissible are found in INA 212(a).

(2) (U) Review of Traveler Documentation:

(a) (U) I-94 Arrival/Departure Documents: Foreign visitors to the U.S. arriving via air or sea no longer need to complete paper Customs and Border Protection Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record or Form I-94-W Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver Arrival/Departure Record. Those who need to prove their legal-visitor statusto employers, schools/universities or government agenciescan access their CBP arrival/departure record information online. CBP now gathers travelers arrival/departure information automatically from their electronic travel records. Because advance information is only transmitted for air and sea travelers, CBP will still issue a paper form I-94 at land border ports of entry. Upon arrival, a CBP officer stamps the travel document of each arriving nonimmigrant traveler with the admission date, the class of admission, and the date that the traveler is admitted until. Upon exiting the U.S., travelers previously issued a paper Form I-94 should surrender it to the commercial carrier or to CBP upon departure. Otherwise, CBP will record the departure electronically via manifest information provided by the carrier or by CBP.

(b) (U) Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA): Visa Waiver Program travelers arriving by air or sea must possess a valid ESTA approval to present to CBP officers. See 9 FAM 201.1-4(C) paragraph i, as well as the CBP website, for additional details and guidance on the ESTA program.

(3) (U) U.S. Exit Controls: See the DHS website for information on United States Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology (US-VISIT); see also 9 FAM 601.8 on referral case exemptions from US-VISIT requirements. For travelers whose I-94 was not collected on departure, see 9 FAM 102.1-5.

c. (U) Using CBP Information:

(1) (U) Form I-275, Withdrawal of Application/Consular Notification:

(a) (U) Purpose of Form I-275: Under INA Section 235(a)(4), an alien applying for admission may, in the discretion of DHS and at any time, be permitted to withdraw the application for admission and depart immediately from the United States. If the CBP officer at the port of entry grants the withdrawal, it will be recorded on Form I-275. A copy of the form will be given to the applicant and the Department also will be notified (see paragraph (b) below).

(b) (U) Consular Notification for Form I-275, Withdrawal of Application for Admission: In January 2012, DHS began sending electronically to the CCD Form I-275, Withdrawal of Application for Admission/Consular Notification, which is created at ports of entry. In the CCD, the Form I-275 is matched to the visa record for the visa that was presented at the port of entry and an I-275 link is created at the bottom of the CCD visa record. When this link is created, a banner is inserted at the top of the CCD record that reads as follows: "Visa May Have Been Cancelled by DHS - See I-275 Link Below." Posts may use the CCD report called I-275 Lookup to review multiple I-275 records, including I-275 records created for Visa Waiver Program (VWP) travelers, which will not be attached to any visa records in the CCD. Posts can find Forms I-275 for VWP travelers by completing the nationality field in the I-275 report.

(c) (U) Inquiries Related to Form I-275: The post must refer inquiries about or from individuals who have withdrawn their applications for admission to the United States to the DHS office that prepared Form I-275, Withdrawal of Application/Consular Notification, if the purpose of the inquiry is to challenge the decision of DHS. Forms I-275 are furnished to the consular office where the visa was issued for its information only. Therefore, the post is not required to provide a copy of the form to the person making the inquiry. In addition, you must not quote from the form or comment on the DHS action.

(2) (U) DHS Arrival Departure Information System (ADIS): In October 2002, ADIS began recording limited U.S. arrival and departure records, which have become more complete as time has passed. ADIS arrival and departure records are based primarily on airline flight manifests and passenger vessel manifests. Arrivals at land borders are recorded in ADIS if the traveler obtains a Form I-94, Arrival-Departure Record, or if the Customs and Border Protection Officer swipes the Border Crossing Card of the traveler. Departure records across the land border are not automatically recorded in ADIS, but may be recorded if the traveler sends in the Form I-94, Arrival-Departure Record. Because land border departures are not usually recorded in ADIS, and airlines have not always provided departure manifests, some departure records are missing from ADIS. ADIS does not record the travel of U.S. citizens.

(a) (U) How ADIS Automated Query Works: An automated query is sent to ADIS for every visa applicant, using the applicants passport number, country of passport issuance, and date of birth. In addition, a search is conducted in the CCD for any previous visa records for the applicant, from which any different passport numbers are also used to search ADIS. If the passport number queries do not obtain results from ADIS, a second query is sent using the applicants Last Name and DOB. All query fields must match in ADIS for records to be returned.

(b) (U) How to See Results of Automated ADIS Checks: From NIV, use keys Alt+O (the letter O) to go directly to the applicants record in the CCD. Scroll down to the bottom right-hand side and click on the ADIS Results link, which will open the ADIS query results. If the link is grayed out and not available, it means ADIS results were not received. From IVO, click on the CCD button on the Applicant Tab to go to the applicants record in the CCD. Scroll down to the Applicant Summary section and the ADIS Results link is located on the line with the Namecheck Detail and other clearance results. In the ADIS Results, the exits and entries are listed in reverse chronological order. CBP observations will be listed, such as the results of a person being sent to secondary inspection. Name variances and different documents used and captured in ADIS will also be listed. The ADIS Results focus on summarizing entries and exits and do not include data from the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) or the Computer Linked Automated Information System, Version 3 (CLAIMS-3). If an applicant was granted a change to nonimmigrant status or an extension of the authorized period of stay in the United States, these will not be reflected in the summarized ADIS Results, but should be available via ADIS access through PCQS (see paragraph (d) below).

(c) (U) How to Conduct Ad Hoc Queries of ADIS: Post may see a record in IDENT of a US-VISIT entry, but no ADIS results displayed in the CCD. One reason for this may be that the information sent in the automated query did not get an exact match in ADIS. If the applicant has a previous CCD record with a somewhat different name and a different passport number, the previous record may not have been found in the CCD because of the name difference; therefore, no query would be sent to ADIS with the different passport number. In order to see the ADIS record for such a case, post should copy the passport number from the IDENT record and enter it, along with the country of issuance, into the Send ADIS Request report in the CCD under the Cross Applications tab. Post need not enter Last Name and DOB with the query. This ad hoc query should return the ADIS records for the applicant. Posts may send ad hoc queries using the Send ADIS Request report to obtain the available U.S. travel records of any alien. It is best to enter the passport number and country of issuance in the Send ADIS Request report, but if the passport number is not available, post may also query by using the Last Name and DOB. In a small percentage of cases, if a query finds multiple Person IDs for the same person in ADIS, no results are returned.

(d) (U) ADIS Access via the Person Centric Query Service (PCQS): For more in-depth ADIS searches, and for all routine fraud-prevention purposes, posts should access ADIS via PCQS. Located under the "Other Agencies/Bureaus" tab, PCQS provides single sign-on access to a consolidated search of a number of USCIS and ICE immigration databases, including ADIS. This version of ADIS offers a more fulsome search than the CCD ADIS report, and allows users to search with basic bio-data, passport number, and fingerprint identification number (FIN). It can be consulted if the automated algorithm returns no results or an error message, and should be used for all FPU-related searches and any small-scale validation studies post wishes to conduct.

(e) (U) Review of ADIS Records is not a Requirement: The ADIS query is not a clearance; there is no requirement for the consular officer to review ADIS results. Visa Lookout Accountability (VLA) does not apply to reviewing ADIS results. The automated ADIS query is a tool to make U.S. travel records in ADIS available for review by consular officers in cases in which this information may be helpful in reaching a decision. For example, posts may check the ADIS Results for applicants who report a previous visa lost or stolen if there is concern that the purpose of the "loss" was to conceal a U.S. overstay. Posts may consult the ADIS results more or less frequently, depending on the particular circumstances of the visa applicants whose cases are being adjudicated.

(f) (U) Enhancements to ADIS: The ADIS checks may not always return results, even though the person has a U.S. travel record. A small percentage of ADIS records contain multiple Person IDs for the same person, which causes no records to be returned by the ADIS check. For such cases, when posts click on the ADIS Results link, it will display Multiple Person IDs Found. CA is continuing to work with DHS US-VISIT through the ADIS Project Team to seek improvements to the ADIS checks. CA is also planning to enhance the ADIS checks by making the ADIS Results available to consular officers in the Clearance Window of the NIV and the IVO systems, which will make it more convenient to review these results.

(g) (U) ADIS Implied Exit Records: IDENT and ADIS share information. When a visa applicant is fingerprinted and there is no record in ADIS that the person has departed the United States, the collection of the person's fingerprints abroad is used by IDENT to create a record in ADIS called Imp_DOS_Depart, which means it is implied that the person departed the United States since the person is abroad being fingerprinted. Although the record in ADIS is labeled Imp_DOS_Depart, when it is pulled into the CCD through the automated ADIS query, it is displayed simply as an Exit record. Such records are most commonly created in ADIS for persons who had no departure record in ADIS because they crossed the land border. Posts in Mexico will see these implied Exit records in the ADIS results with the same date on which an applicant is fingerprinted for a new visa.

9 FAM 602.2-2(D) (U) Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

(CT:VISA-271; 12-14-2016)

(U) ICE's primary mission is to promote homeland security and public safety through the criminal and civil enforcement of federal laws governing border control, customs, trade and immigration. This mission is executed through the enforcement of more than 400 federal statutes and focuses on smart immigration enforcement, preventing terrorism and combating the illegal movement of people and goods. Immigration enforcement is the largest single area of responsibility for ICE. While certain responsibilities and close cooperation with CBP, USCIS, and others require significant ICE assets near the border, the majority of immigration enforcement work for ICE takes place in the countrys interior.

9 FAM 602.2-2(E) (U) Department of Homeland Security Contacts

(CT:VISA-271; 12-14-2016)

a. (U) DHS officers abroad are authorized to perform certain functions such as waiving certain passport and visa requirements jointly with consular officers, authorizing the admission of certain aliens under the provisions of INA 212(d)(3)(A) who otherwise are inadmissible and ineligible for a visa, and approval of petitions to accord immigrant status to relatives and applications for waivers of grounds of ineligibility and inadmissibility. Requests for such actions, when authorized, should be addressed by consular officers to the DHS Officer in Charge (OIC), in care of the Foreign Service post located in the cities indicated below.

b. Unavailable

c. (U) When trying to locate a USCIS office, you should visit USCIS Offices website. For any high-level policy issues, please refer to CA/VO/F who maintains close relations with DHS components.

9 FAM 602.2-3 (U) Working with other United StateS Government Departments

9 FAM 602.2-3(A) (U) Department of Justice

(CT:VISA-463; 11-02-2017)

a. (U) CA/VO/L handles all Department of Justice (DOJ) liaison regarding visa matters. If DOJ contacts you directly regarding a visa case, please refer them to CA/VO/L/A. If you are unsure how to proceed, contact CA/VO/L/A.

b. (U) Federal Bureau of Investigation:

(1) (U) Fingerprinting: Personnel taking fingerprints to follow closely the instructions in the online training course entitled "Fingerprint Quality for TPLS," which is located under the Biometrics tab in the Consular Application Training Center on CAWeb.

(2) (U) FBI Codes in Consular Lookout and Support System (CLASS): See 9 FAM 303.3-5(D)(1) for information regarding processing FBI lookouts in CLASS.

c. (U) Assistant U.S. Attorney, Legal Attaches at Posts Overseas: VO/L handles liaison with Assistant U.S Attorneys (AUSAs) regarding visa matters. If an AUSA contacts you directly regarding a visa case, please refer him/her to VO/L/A. Post Legatts must adhere to the procedures for referrals (see 9 FAM 601.8). If a Legatt contacts you about a visa case in a law enforcement matter, see 9 FAM 603.2-6.

9 FAM 602.2-3(B) (U) Department of Labor

(CT:VISA-927; 08-16-2019)

a. (U) There are several government agencies involved with granting permission for foreign workers to work in the United States. First, employers must seek certification through the Department of Labor. Foreign labor certification programs are generally designed to assure that the admission of foreign workers to work in the United States on a permanent or temporary basis will not adversely affect the job opportunities, wages and working conditions of American workers.

b. (U) IV Labor Certifications: See 9 FAM 502.4-3(E) and 9 FAM 502.4-4(C) for information on labor certifications for employment-based immigrant visa cases.

c. (U) NIV Labor Condition Applications: DHS will also review labor certifications while adjudicating some occupation-based nonimmigrant petitions. See 9 FAM 402.10-4(B) and 9 FAM 402.10-5(D) regarding employer requirements to file labor condition applications for H-1B nonimmigrants. Department of Labor revocation of Labor Certifications for H2As is addressed in 9 FAM 402.10-8(D).

d. (U) U.S. Labor Laws: See 9 FAM 402.10-17(A) regarding reporting possible violations of U.S. labor laws to the Department of Labor, requirements to inform nonimmigrant H visa applicants of their legal rights and Department of Labor informational resources for nonimmigrant and immigrant workers.

e. (U) Evaluating Work Experience: See 9 FAM 502.6-3 d for information on using the Department of Labors O*Net OnLine database to evaluate a diversity visa applicants qualifying work experience.

f. (U) Ineligibilities Related to Labor Certifications: See 9 FAM 302.1-5 for general information on labor certification issues which might lead to an ineligibility finding.

9 FAM 602.2-3(C) (U) Department of Treasury

9 FAM 602.2-3(C)(1) (U) Department of Treasury and Visa Operations

(CT:VISA-927; 08-16-2019)

Unavailable

9 FAM 602.2-3(C)(2) (U) Internal Revenue Service

(CT:VISA-73; 03-02-2016)

a. (U) Tax Administration, Tax Returns:

(1) (U) Tax returns generally require Social Security Numbers (SSNs). See 602.2-5(C) concerning SSN requirements for noncitizens.

(2) (U) To apply for an SSN, applicants should visit the local Social Security Administration office or call 1-800-772-1213. If the travelers do not have SSNs and are not eligible to obtain them, they must apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). They should see Form W-7 and its instructions for details on how to receive an ITIN, a process that normally takes 4-6 weeks. Those who have ITINs should enter them wherever the tax return form requests an SSN. Those who must include another persons SSNs on their returns must obtain ITINs for those individuals, too, if they do not have ITINs.

b. (U) Sailing Permit or Departure Permit (Certificate of Compliance) Requirements:

(1) (U) Resident and nonresident aliens departing the United States usually have to show that they have complied with the U.S. income tax laws before departing from the United States. They do this by obtaining a certificate of compliance, commonly called a "Departure Permit" or "Sailing Permit" from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

(2) (U) Some foreign diplomats, employees of foreign governments, students, trainees, and exchange visitors do not need a departure permit. Travelers can find out if they belong in this category by referring to Publication 519, U.S. Tax Guide for Aliens.

(3) (U) Procedure When Sailing Permit Required:

(a) (U) Required Forms:

(i) (U) Aliens without taxable income, or a resident alien who is leaving only temporarily, should use Form IRS-2063, U.S. Departing Alien Income Tax Statement, to apply for a departure permit. Resident aliens leaving the United States with no definite plans to return for the year will have to complete Form IRS-1040-C, U.S. Departing Alien Income Tax Return, in order to get a departure permit.

(ii) (U) Nonresident aliens who have been in the United States more than 90 days and have earned taxable income of $3000 or more will also have to complete Form IRS-1040C to receive a departure permit. Resident and nonresident aliens must pay all tax shown as due on the Form IRS-1040 C, unless they furnish a bond, or the IRS is satisfied that their leaving will not jeopardize collection of the tax. Any tax paid counts as a payment on their final tax return (either Form 1040 or Form 1040NR) that is filed after the end of the tax year.

(b) (U) When and Where to Apply for Sailing Permit:

(i) (U) An individual who needs a sailing permit should apply at least two weeks in advance of their departure, but not earlier than 30 days before they plan to leave. To get a departure permit, the traveler should visit their nearest Taxpayer Assistance Center (walk-in IRS office). If the traveler is married to an alien who is leaving the country with them, the couple must go together to the IRS office. For information on the location of the nearest Taxpayer Assistance Center (walkin IRS office), travelers may call 8008291040, or visit the IRS website. Taxpayers outside the United States must call 215-516-2000 (this is not a toll-free number).

(ii) (U) Travelers should refer to Publication 519 for a list of which documents they should bring with them to apply for an IRS departure permit.

(c) (U) Overpayments and Refunds: If the tax computation on Form IRS-1040-C results in an overpayment, there is no tax to pay at the time the applicant files that return. However, the IRS cannot provide a refund at the time of departure. If applicants are due refunds, they must file Form 1040 or Form 1040NR as appropriate, by the tax return due date, including extensions.

(d) (U) Sailing Permit Not a Replacement for U.S. Income Tax Return: Form IRS-1040-C is not an annual U.S. income tax return. If an income tax return is required by law, that return must be filed even though a Form IRS-1040-C has already been filed. The taxes paid with the Form IRS-1040-C should be taken as a credit against the tax liability for the entire tax year on an annual U.S. income tax return.

9 FAM 602.2-3(D) (U) Department of Health and Human Services

(CT:VISA-871; 06-24-2019)

a. (U) The Visa Office relies on the expertise of the Department of Health and Human Services regarding the public charge ineligibility as well as in medical ineligibilities of individuals traveling or immigrating to the United States.

b. (U) Poverty Income Guidelines: See 9 FAM 302.8-2(C)(12) regarding use of the Department of Health and Human Services Poverty Income Guideline Table to determine whether immigrant visa applicants may be ineligible for a visa under INA 212(a)(4) public charge provisions.

c. (U) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: See 9 FAM 302.2-3(D) regarding the role of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in regulating medical examinations (used to evaluate possible medical-related ineligibilities see 9 FAM 302.2-2(A)). Also see 9 FAM 302.2-6 for CDCs role in vaccinations.

9 FAM 602.2-4 (U) working with congress

9 FAM 602.2-4(A) (U) Overview

(CT:VISA-73; 03-02-2016)

a. (U) Close relations with Congress are essential to Consular Affairs success in meeting its mission to protect American citizens and the security of our nation. The Bureau takes every opportunity to strengthen that relationship and to engage and inform Members of Congress and Congressional staff about CA's work. Consular officers based on Capitol Hill, together with the Legislative Affairs Unit in CA's Office of Policy Coordination and Legislative Affairs (CA/P), assist with constituent inquiries, facilitate briefing requests, and conduct outreach to Congressional staff via webinars and conferences.

b. (U) CA/P closely coordinates with the Bureau of Legislative Affairs (H) to promote legislative priorities that benefit citizens and enhance CAs ability to provide prompt service to constituents. There is a dedicated website for Members and Congressional staff as well as dedicated Congressional contacts at every overseas post, domestic passport agency, the National Visa Center, and the Kentucky Consular Center.

9 FAM 602.2-4(B) (U) Congressional Inquiries and Correspondence

(CT:VISA-73; 03-02-2016)

(U) See 9 FAM 601.7-3 for information on handling visa-related correspondence from Congress. See also 9 FAM 603.2-5 on sharing visa-related information with Congress.

9 FAM 602.2-4(C) (U) Congressional Reports

(CT:VISA-271; 12-14-2016)

Unavailable

9 FAM 602.2-4(D) (U) Private Immigration Legislation

(CT:VISA-689; 10-05-2018)

(U) See 9 FAM 502.7-5 for information on private legislation granting immigrant status, and post preparation of private bill reports.

9 FAM 602.2-5 (U) Working with other United states Government entities

9 FAM 602.2-5(A) (U) Related Statutory and Regulatory Citations

(CT:VISA-73; 03-02-2016)

(U) 50 U.S.C. App. 453.

9 FAM 602.2-5(B) (U) Selective Service System

(CT:VISA-871; 06-24-2019)

a. (U) Mission and Purpose of Selective Service System: The statutory missions of Selective Service are to be prepared to provide trained and untrained personnel to the Department of Defense in the event of a national emergency and to be prepared to implement an Alternative Service Program for registrants classified as conscientious objectors.

b. (U) Registration Requirements: Male immigrants between the ages of 18 and 26 must register for the Selective Service. (See 9 FAM 504.10-2(E)(5) regarding the notice to be given such applicants.) However, aliens lawfully admitted to the United States as nonimmigrants pursuant to INA 101(a)(15) are not required to register with the Selective Service nor are they liable for military training and service so long as they maintain a lawful nonimmigrant status in the United States. (See 50 U.S.C. App. 453.)

c. (U) Ineligibility Based on Avoiding Military Service: See 9 FAM 302.10-3 for information on Selective Service laws and records used to evaluate a possible ineligibility for individuals who departed or remained outside the United States to avoid military service.

9 FAM 602.2-5(C) (U) Social Security Administration

(CT:VISA-484; 01-09-2018)

a. (U) Generally, only immigrants and nonimmigrants authorized to work in the United States by DHS can get a Social Security number. Social Security numbers are used to report a persons wages to the government and to determine a persons eligibility for Social Security benefits. A Social Security number is needed to work, collect Social Security benefits, and receive some other government services.

b. (U) Social Security Cards, Numbers: See 9 FAM 504.10-2(E)(4) regarding applications for Social Security Numbers for immigrants to the United States. 9 FAM 402.2-5(I) addresses the issue of nonimmigrants obtaining Social Security cards.

c. (U) Exemption from Affidavit of Support Requirement: See 9 FAM 302.8-2(C)(11) regarding use of Form I-864-W to demonstrate exemption from Affidavit of Support requirements for immigrants with 40 qualifying quarters of work, under Title II of the Social Security Act.

d. (U) Department of Treasury Sailing Permits: See 9 FAM 602.2-3(C)(2) a(2) for a discussion of Social Security Numbers and Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers in the context of obtaining IRS Sailing Permits.

UNCLASSIFIED (U)