ICE, Handbook: HSI 14-01 Benefit Fraud Investigations Handbook - Jan. 7, 2014 (DA and CBFCC Edits)

BENEFIT FRAUD INVESTIGATIONS HANDBOOK

Table of Contents Chapter 1. PURPOSE AND SCOPE .....................................................................................1 Chapter 2. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................1 Chapter 3. DEFINITIONS ......................................................................................................2 • • • • • • • • • • • • Advanced Degree .......................................................................................2 3.1 Benefit Fraud ..............................................................................................2 3.2 Diploma Mill ..............................................................................................2 3.3 Document Fraud .........................................................................................2 3.4 Exceptional Ability in Science, Art, or Business .......................................2 3.5 Identity Fraud .............................................................................................2 3.6 Identity Theft ..............................................................................................3 3.7 3.8 Material Misrepresentation .........................................................................3 3.9 Other Worker ..............................................................................................3 3.10 Profession ...................................................................................................3 3.11 Professional ................................................................................................3 3.12 Skilled Worker ...........................................................................................3 Chapter 4.

AUTHORITIES/REFERENCES ........................................................................3 • • 4.1 4.2 Authorities ..................................................................................................3 References ..................................................................................................5 Chapter 5. RESPONSIBILITIES ..........................................................................................5 • • • • 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 Executive Associate Director, Homeland Security Investigations .............5 Unit Chief, Identity and Benefit Fraud Unit ...............................................5 Special Agents in Charge and Attachés .....................................................5 Special Agents ............................................................................................5 Chapter 6. VISA FRAUD OVERVIEW ................................................................................5 Chapter 7. EMPLOYMENT-BASED VISA FRAUD ..........................................................6 • • • • 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 Employment-Based Immigrant Visas ........................................................7 Petitioner-Based Fraud ...............................................................................8 Beneficiary-Based Fraud ............................................................................8 Classifications of Employment-Based Immigrants ....................................8 _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Benefit Fraud Investigations Handbook LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE January 7, 2014 i • • • • • 7.5 7.6 7.7 7.8 7.9 Other Agency Coordination .....................................................................10 Investor Fraud (EB-5 Program) ................................................................10 Nonimmigrant Employment-Based Fraud ...............................................11 H Nonimmigrant Employment-Based Visas ............................................12 L Nonimmigrant Employment-Based Visas ............................................13 Chapter 8.

STUDENT VISA FRAUD ..................................................................................14 Chapter 9. RELIGIOUS VISA FRAUD ..............................................................................15 Chapter 10. RELATIONSHIP FRAUD ................................................................................16 • • • 10.1 Marriage Fraud .........................................................................................16 10.2 Fiancé(e) Fraud .........................................................................................17 10.3 Other Relationship Fraud .........................................................................18 Chapter 11. ASYLUM AND REFUGEE FRAUD ................................................................18 Chapter 12.

DEFERRED ACTION FOR CHILDHOOD ARRIVALS FRAUD ..............21 Chapter 13. NATURALIZATION FRAUD ..........................................................................21 Chapter 14. BENEFIT FRAUD UNITS ................................................................................22 Chapter 15. DOCUMENT AND BENEFIT FRAUD TASK FORCES ..............................22 Chapter 16.

PRIORITIZATION OF CASES .......................................................................23 Chapter 17. COORDINATION WITH JOINT TERRORISM TASK FORCES .............23 Chapter 18. 23 • • • • • 18.1 USCIS Fraud Detection and National Security ........................................24 18.2 Confidential Informants, Cooperating Witnesses, and Cooperating Defendants ................................................................................................24 18.3 Other HSI Investigations ..........................................................................24 18.4 HSI Tip Line .............................................................................................25 18.5 State and Local Law Enforcement ...........................................................25 Chapter 19. CONDUCTING BENEFIT FRAUD INVESTIGATIONS .............................25 Chapter 20.

STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS ........................................................................28 Chapter 21. SENTENCING GUIDELINES .........................................................................29 _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Benefit Fraud Investigations Handbook LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE January 7, 2014 ii (b) (7)(E) BENEFIT FRAUD INVESTIGATIONS HANDBOOK Chapter 1.

PURPOSE AND SCOPE

The Benefit Fraud Investigations Handbook establishes policy and procedures for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agents (SAs) when conducting immigration-related benefit fraud investigations within the scope of their authority. Chapter 2.

INTRODUCTION

The scope of immigration-related benefit fraud in the United States cannot be understated. Fraudulently obtained benefits can provide terrorists and other criminals a new identity and the appearance of legitimate immigration status, helping them evade law enforcement detection. The unknown element of an alien engaging in immigration-related benefit fraud is the alien’s intent, which could be to find employment or to cause grave and severe harm to the United States. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Benefit Fraud Investigations Handbook OFFICIAL USE ONLY LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE January 7, 2014 1 (b) (7)(E)(b) (7)(E)(b) (7)(E)(b) (7)(E)(b) (7)(E) Chapter 3.

DEFINITIONS

The following definitions are provided for the purposes of this Handbook: 3.1 Advanced Degree “…any United States academic or professional degree or a foreign equivalent degree above that of baccalaureate. A United States baccalaureate degree or a foreign equivalent followed by at least five years of progressive experience in the specialty shall be considered the equivalent of a master’s degree. If a doctoral degree is customarily required by the specialty, the alien must have a United States doctorate or a foreign equivalent degree.” Title 8, Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.), Section 204.5(k)(2). 3.2 Benefit Fraud The knowing and willful misrepresentation of a material fact on a petition or application to gain an immigrant benefit.

3.3 Diploma Mill Online or other institutions that award academic degrees and diplomas with little or no academic study and without recognition by official accreditation bodies. 3.4 Document Fraud The production, counterfeiting, alteration, sale, and/or use of fraudulent documents to circumvent immigration laws or for other criminal activity. 3.5 Exceptional Ability in Science, Art, or Business “…a degree of expertise significantly above that ordinarily encountered in the sciences, arts, or business.” 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(2). 3.6 Identity Fraud The use of fraudulent identity documents, which may, but do not necessarily have to, contain the biographical information of a real person. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Benefit Fraud Investigations Handbook OFFICIAL USE ONLY LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE January 7, 2014 2 (b) (7)(E) 3.7 Identity Theft The intentional use of another person’s biographical information and/or personal identifiers without that person’s consent.

3.8 Material Misrepresentation A misrepresentation is material when the record demonstrates by clear, unequivocal, and convincing evidence that the misrepresentation either did result in the erroneous grant of a benefit, or that it had a natural tendency to affect the decision to grant the benefit. 3.9 Other Worker “…a qualified alien who is capable, at the time of petitioning for this classification, of performing unskilled labor (requiring less than two years training or experience), not of a temporary or seasonal nature, for which qualified workers are not available in the United States.” 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(l)(2). 3.10 Profession “…one of the occupations listed in section 101(a)(32) of the Act [Immigration and Nationality Act (INA)], as well as any occupation for which a United States baccalaureate degree or its foreign equivalent is the minimum requirement for entry into the occupation.” 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(2). 3.11 Professional “…a qualified alien who holds at least a United States baccalaureate degree or a foreign equivalent degree and who is a member of the professions.” 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(l)(2).

3.12 Skilled Worker “…an alien who is capable, at the time of petitioning for this classification, of performing skilled labor (requiring at least two years training or experience), not of a temporary or seasonal nature, for which qualified workers are not available in the United States. Relevant post-secondary education may be considered as training for purposes of this provision.” 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(l)(2). Chapter 4.

AUTHORITIES/REFERENCES 4.1.

Authorities The following are some of the common statutes charged: A. Title 8, United States Code (U.S.C.), Section 1255A(c)(6), Legalization Fraud _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Benefit Fraud Investigations Handbook OFFICIAL USE ONLY LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE January 7, 2014 3 B. 8 U.S.C. § 1306(d), Counterfeiting an Alien Registration Card or Document C. 8 U.S.C. § 1324(a)(1)(A)(iv), Encouraging Illegal Aliens to Enter into or Reside in the United States D. 8 U.S.C. § 1325(c), Marriage Fraud E. 8 U.S.C. § 1325(d), Immigration-Related Entrepreneurship Fraud F. 18 U.S.C. § 2, Aiding and Abetting G. 18 U.S.C. § 201, Bribery of a Public Official H. 18 U.S.C. § 371, Conspiracy I. 18 U.S.C. § 911, False Claim to U.S. Citizenship J. 18 U.S.C. § 982, Criminal Forfeiture K. 18 U.S.C. § 1001, False Statements to the Government L. 18 U.S.C. § 1015, Fraud in Immigration Matters M. 18 U.S.C. § 1028, Fraud and Related Activity/Identification Documents N. 18 U.S.C. § 1028A, Aggravated Identity Theft O. 18 U.S.C. § 1341, Mail Fraud P. 18 U.S.C. § 1343, Wire, Radio, or Television Fraud Q. 18 U.S.C. § 1351, Fraud in Foreign Labor Contracting R. 18 U.S.C. §§ 1421-1425, Nationality and Citizenship Fraud S. 18 U.S.C. § 1505, Obstruction of Proceedings before Departments, Agencies, and Committees T. 18 U.S.C. §§ 1541-1546, Passport and Visa Fraud U. 18 U.S.C. § 1621, Perjury V. 18 U.S.C. §§ 1956 and 1957, Money Laundering W. 18 U.S.C. §§ 1961-1968, Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organizations _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Benefit Fraud Investigations Handbook OFFICIAL USE ONLY LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE January 7, 2014 4 X. 42 U.S.C. § 408, Social Security Fraud. 4.2 References A. DHS memorandum, “Exercising Prosecutorial Discretion with Respect to Individuals Who Came to the United States as Children,” dated June 15, 2012. B. HSI memorandum, “Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Fraud Lead Referral and Tracking Procedure,” dated August 13, 2012. Chapter 5.

RESPONSIBILITIES 5.1 Executive Associate Director, Homeland Security Investigations The Executive Associate Director of HSI has the overall responsibility for the oversight and implementation of the policies and procedures set forth in this Handbook. 5.2 Unit Chief, Identity and Benefit Fraud Unit The Unit Chief of the Identity and Benefit Fraud Unit (IBFU) is responsible for developing and advancing policy initiatives and proposing legislative changes to address vulnerabilities in the immigration process to deter fraud and reduce the incentives for committing immigration benefit fraud. The IBFU Unit Chief is also responsible for coordinating the Unit’s efforts to combat benefit fraud with other ICE Directorates and Program Offices and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) components such as USCIS and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), as well as other federal agencies such as the Department of Labor (DOL) and the Department of State (DOS). 5.3 Special Agents in Charge and Attachés Special Agents in Charge (SACs) and Attachés are responsible for implementing the policies and procedures set forth in this Handbook within their areas of responsibility.

5.4 Special Agents SAs are responsible for complying with the provisions of this Handbook. Chapter 6.

VISA FRAUD OVERVIEW

Statutory provisions for visa fraud are found under 18 U.S.C. § 1546(a), _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Benefit Fraud Investigations Handbook OFFICIAL USE ONLY LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE January 7, 2014 5 (b) (7)(E)(b) (7)(E) Chapter 7. EMPLOYMENT-BASED VISA FRAUD DOL is responsible for the administration and enforcement of employment-based visa programs. The INA directs DOL to administer various foreign labor certification programs, including several immigrant and non-immigrant employment-based visas. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Benefit Fraud Investigations Handbook OFFICIAL USE ONLY LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE January 7, 2014 6 (b) (7)(E)(b) (7)(E)(b) (7)(E) 7.2 Petitioner-Based Fraud 7.3 Beneficiary-Based Fraud 7.4 Classifications of Employment-Based Immigrants A. Aliens with Extraordinary Abilities (E11) Applicants in this category must have extensive documentation showing sustained _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Benefit Fraud Investigations Handbook OFFICIAL USE ONLY LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE January 7, 2014 8 (b) (7)(E)(b) (7)(E)(b) (7)(E)(b) (7)(E) 7.5 Other Agency Coordination 7.6 Investor Fraud (EB-5 Program) _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Benefit Fraud Investigations Handbook OFFICIAL USE ONLY LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE January 7, 2014 10 (b) (7)(E)(b) (7)(E) 7.7 Nonimmigrant Employment-Based Fraud _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Benefit Fraud Investigations Handbook OFFICIAL USE ONLY LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE January 7, 2014 11 (b) (7)(E)(b) (7)(E) 7.8 H Nonimmigrant Employment-Based Visas Provided for under section 101(a)(15)(H) of the INA, the H nonimmigrant visa classification can be divided into several categories: H-1 Alien of Distinguished Merit and Ability H-1B Specialty Workers, Research and Development, and Fashion Models H-1B1 Specialty Occupations (Chile and Singapore citizens) H-1C Nurses H-2 H-2A Agricultural Workers H-2B Non-agricultural Services or Labor H-3 Trainees and Special Education H-1 is a nonimmigrant classification used for aliens who will be temporarily employed in a specialty occupation or as a fashion model or an alien of distinguished merit and ability. The employer must obtain an approved Labor Condition Application (LCA) from DOL prior to filing a petition with USCIS.

The alien worker must be named in the petition which must demonstrate that the alien worker is eligible and qualified for the position by demonstrating such things as education, licensure, and training. In order for an alien to be considered as having distinguished merit and ability, the alien must be a member of the professions or prominent in his or her field of endeavor. Additionally, the services to be performed in the United States must require the services of a professional or alien of prominence. H-2B is a nonimmigrant classification used for aliens who have a residence in a foreign country which they have no intention of abandoning.

These aliens will be temporarily employed in either the agricultural or non-agricultural areas. The employer must file an LCA with DOL. Some H-2 positions may require that the alien have specific education, training, or experience. If this is the case, the petitioner must demonstrate the alien’s eligibility and qualifications. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Benefit Fraud Investigations Handbook OFFICIAL USE ONLY LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE January 7, 2014 12 (b) (7)(E)(b) (7)(E)(b) (7)(E) 7.9 L Nonimmigrant Employment-Based Visas L-1A visas are designated for intra-company transferees and do not require a DOL LCA.

To qualify, the alien must have worked for the foreign affiliate for at least one continuous year within the previous three years in a managerial or executive capacity. The alien must take a job with the domestic affiliate (parent or subsidiary) in an executive or managerial position. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Benefit Fraud Investigations Handbook OFFICIAL USE ONLY LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE January 7, 2014 13 (b) (7)(E)(b) (7)(E)(b) (7)(E) Chapter 8. STUDENT VISA FRAUD _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Benefit Fraud Investigations Handbook OFFICIAL USE ONLY LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE January 7, 2014 14 (b) (7)(E)(b) (7)(E) Chapter 9. RELIGIOUS VISA FRAUD _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Benefit Fraud Investigations Handbook OFFICIAL USE ONLY LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE January 7, 2014 15 (b) (7)(E)(b) (7)(E) Chapter 10.

RELATIONSHIP FRAUD 10.1 Marriage Fraud Benefit Fraud Investigations Handbook January 7, 2014 16 OFFICIAL USE ONLY LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE (b) (7)(E) 10.2 Fiancé(e) Fraud _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Benefit Fraud Investigations Handbook OFFICIAL USE ONLY LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE January 7, 2014 17 (b) (7)(E)(b) (7)(E) 10.3 Other Relationship Fraud Chapter 11. ASYLUM AND REFUGEE FRAUD _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Benefit Fraud Investigations Handbook OFFICIAL USE ONLY LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE January 7, 2014 18 (b) (7)(E)(b) (7)(E)(b) (7)(E) _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Benefit Fraud Investigations Handbook OFFICIAL USE ONLY LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE January 7, 2014 19 (b) (7)(E) _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Benefit Fraud Investigations Handbook OFFICIAL USE ONLY LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE January 7, 2014 20 (b) (7)(E) Chapter 12.

DEFERRED ACTION FOR CHILDHOOD ARRIVALS FRAUD

On June 15, 2012, Secretary Napolitano issued a policy memorandum entitled, “Exercising Prosecutorial Discretion with Respect to Individuals Who Came to the United States as Children.” Chapter 13. NATURALIZATION FRAUD _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Benefit Fraud Investigations Handbook OFFICIAL USE ONLY LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE January 7, 2014 21 (b) (7)(E)(b) (7)(E)(b) (7)(E) Chapter 14.

BENEFIT FRAUD UNITS

In September 2003, ICE established a Benefit Fraud Project creating the ICE Benefit Fraud Units (BFUs) operating in Missouri, Vermont, Texas, Nebraska, and California. These BFUs coordinate with USCIS Service Center (SC) Fraud Detection Units (FDUs) to proactively identify and target the most significant violators, detect potential fraud trends, and address policy and procedural vulnerabilities in specific benefit programs. The BFUs were established as an anti-fraud initiative involving ICE and USCIS. The BFUs’ primary function is to serve as the vital informational and investigative conduit between USCIS SCs and HSI SAC offices.

They develop and expand the leads referred by the USCIS Fraud Detection and National Security (FDNS) Directorate. Leads accepted by the BFUs are referred to HSI SAC offices for investigation. Leads that are not accepted are returned to USCIS. In August 2007, the BFUs were transferred from headquarters (HQ) to HSI SAC office management.

While managed by local HSI offices, the BFUs retain the mission to identify and refer fraud leads nationwide. In order to ensure continued service to HSI SAC offices in support of the national mission, BFU positions may not be realigned to external groups or units and staffing levels must be maintained. Chapter 15.

DOCUMENT AND BENEFIT FRAUD TASK FORCES

Document and Benefit Fraud Task Forces (DBFTFs) were created in March 2006 to target, seize illicit proceeds of, and dismantle the criminal organizations that threaten national security and public safety, and address vulnerabilities in the immigration process. Through DBFTFs, HSI partners with other agencies such as DOL, DOS, the Social Security Administration, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), USCIS, and many other state and local law enforcement agencies. These task forces focus their efforts on detecting, deterring, and disrupting both benefit fraud and document fraud. conducted in all field offices regardless of whether or not a DBFTF exists in a given area. DBFTFs bring together the expertise of numerous agencies and departments to achieve more complex, cross-cutting investigations.

DBFTF investigations relate to immigration benefit fraud, _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Benefit Fraud Investigations Handbook OFFICIAL USE ONLY LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE January 7, 2014 22 (b) (7)(E)(b) (7)(E)(b) (7)(E)(b) (7)(E) 18.1 USCIS Fraud Detection and National Security 18.2 Confidential Informants, Cooperating Witnesses, and Cooperating Defendants 18.3 Other HSI Investigations _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Benefit Fraud Investigations Handbook OFFICIAL USE ONLY LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE January 7, 2014 24 (b) (7)(E)(b) (7)(E)(b) (7)(E)(b) (7)(E) _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Benefit Fraud Investigations Handbook OFFICIAL USE ONLY LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE January 7, 2014 26 (b) (7)(E) _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Benefit Fraud Investigations Handbook OFFICIAL USE ONLY LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE January 7, 2014 27 (b) (7)(E) Chapter 20. STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Benefit Fraud Investigations Handbook OFFICIAL USE ONLY LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE January 7, 2014 28 (b) (7)(E)(b) (7)(E) Chapter 21. SENTENCING GUIDELINES SAs should consider the sentencing guidelines when working these cases. Multiple statutes often apply to the same scheme and/or crime.

Chapter 22. INVESTIGATIVE RESOURCES 22.1 Cyber Crimes Center Most fraud facilitators store evidence of their crimes on computers, personal digital assistants, phones, and other media devices. As a result, it is critical to involve a Computer Forensic Agent or Computer Forensic Analyst (CFA) in the investigation as early as possible. 22.2 USCIS Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate USCIS created the FDNS Directorate to better position the agency to deliver the right benefit to the right person at the right time, and no benefit to the wrong person.

The primary mission of the FDNS Directorate is to detect and combat immigration benefit fraud and deconflict national security-based background hits and other concerns. It is also responsible for conducting benefit fraud assessments and other initiatives aimed at identifying and removing systemic and other vulnerabilities in the legal immigration system. The FDNS Directorate is also USCIS’s primary conduit to federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Benefit Fraud Investigations Handbook OFFICIAL USE ONLY LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE January 7, 2014 29 (b) (7)(E)(b) (7)(E)(b) (7)(E)(b) (7)(E)(b) (7)(E) Passport and visa fraud is a federal offense punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. If the offense is connected to narcotics trafficking, the prison sentence is increased up to 15 years, and up to 20 years if connected to international terrorism.

Chapter 23. REPORTING 23.1 _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Benefit Fraud Investigations Handbook OFFICIAL USE ONLY LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE January 7, 2014 32 (b) (7)(E)(b) (7)(E)(b) (7)(E)(b) (7)(E) 23.2 _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Benefit Fraud Investigations Handbook OFFICIAL USE ONLY LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE January 7, 2014 33 (b) (7)(E)(b) (7)(E)(b) (7)(E) Chapter 24. AGREEMENTS WITH OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES 24.1 Investigation of Immigration Benefit Fraud 24.1.1 Memorandum of Agreement between USCIS and ICE on the Investigation of Immigration Benefit Fraud The “Memorandum of Agreement between USCIS and ICE on the Investigation of Immigration Benefit Fraud,” dated September 25, 2008, governs the policy and procedures to be followed by ICE and USCIS when referrals of immigration benefit fraud are made to ICE by the USCIS FDNS Directorate. 24.1.2 Impact on ICE Benefit Fraud Unit and Field Office Operations A. Points of Contact The MOA requires that an HSI Assistant Special Agent in Charge (ASAC) be assigned as the primary point of contact for the local USCIS field office. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Benefit Fraud Investigations Handbook OFFICIAL USE ONLY LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE January 7, 2014 34 (b) (7)(E)(b) (7)(E) B. Referrals C. Timeframes for Case Acceptance and Response to USCIS _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Benefit Fraud Investigations Handbook OFFICIAL USE ONLY LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE January 7, 2014 35 (b) (7)(E)(b) (7)(E) 24.3 Memorandum of Agreement between DOS and DHS Regarding the Sharing of Visa and Passport Records and Immigration and Naturalization and Citizenship Records The MOA entitled, “Memorandum of Agreement between the Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security Regarding the Sharing of Visa and Passport Records and Immigration and Naturalization and Citizenship Records,” dated November 18, 2008, governs and clarifies the information sharing agreement and the authorities for DOS and DHS to share visa, passport, immigration, and naturalization and citizenship records.

The MOA also addresses the established mechanisms to protect the data. Various preexisting agreements were also incorporated by reference and made a part of this MOA. SAs requiring information from DOS should be familiar with the content of this MOA. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Benefit Fraud Investigations Handbook OFFICIAL USE ONLY LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE January 7, 2014 37 (b) (7)(E) Appendix A Steps Involved in Adjudicating Applications for Naturalization (USCIS Form N-400) _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Benefit Fraud Investigations Handbook LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE January 7, 2014 A-i (b) (7)(E) Appendix B Steps Involved in Adjudicating Family-based Applications for Adjustment of Status to Lawful Permanent Resident (USCIS Form I-485) _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Benefit Fraud Investigations Handbook LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE January 7, 2014 B-i (b) (7)(E) Appendix C ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Benefit Fraud Investigations Handbook LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE January 7, 2014 C-i (b) (7)(E) Appendix D ACRONYMS AIRG ASA ASAC ASVVP BFU CBP Asset Identification and Removal Group Agency/Sub-Agency Assistant Special Agent in Charge Administrative Site Visit and Verification Program Benefit Fraud Unit U.S. Customs and Border Protection C.F.R. CFU Code of Federal Regulations Center Fraud Unit or Analyst) CTCEU Counterterrorism and Criminal Exploitation Unit DHS DNA DOL DOS DSS ERO ETA FDNS FDU HB HSI HQ IBFU ICE INA INS ISO JTTF LCA LPR MOA OCC Department of Homeland Security Deoxyribonucleic Acid Department of Labor Department of State Diplomatic Security Service Enforcement and Removal Operations Employment Training Administration Fraud Detection and National Security Fraud Detection Unit Handbook Homeland Security Investigations Headquarters Identity and Benefit Fraud Unit U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Immigration and Nationality Act U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service Immigration Service Officer Joint Terrorism Task Force Labor Condition Application Lawful Permanent Resident Memorandum of Agreement Office of the Chief Counsel ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Benefit Fraud Investigations Handbook LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE January 7, 2014 D-i (b) (7)(E)(b) (7)(E)(b) (7)(E)(b) (7)(E)(b) (7)(E) OFLC OI OIA OIG RC RICO SA SAC SC Office of Foreign Labor Certification Office of Investigations Office of International Affairs Office of the Inspector General Regional Center Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Special Agent Special Agent in Charge Service Center SEVIS SWA TFO USAO U.S.C. USCIS USPS US-VISIT VAWA WHD Student and Exchange Visitor Information System State Workforce Agency Task Force Officer U.S. Attorney’s Office United States Code U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services U.S. Postal Service U.S. Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology Violence Against Women Act Wage and Hour Division ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Benefit Fraud Investigations Handbook LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE January 7, 2014 D-ii (b) (7)(E)(b) (7)(E)