Protecting PII
When are you required to lock your computer?
Every time you step away from your desk
True or False: You must recuse yourself if a friend or family member is a consular customer.
TRUE. Recusal Policy.
If your neighbor asks you why his/her visa application is under “administrative processing” what can you say?
Be polite but clear and let them know that you can’t talk about consular matters except to direct them to publicly available information. Something like, “This isn’t something I can discuss with you, but if you have questions, you can email (public email address for your section).”
An LE Staff member from the Political section has a visa appointment. Can she wear her Embassy badge while in the consular waiting room?
No. Displaying a badge could lead to the appearance of impropriety by the other applicants in the waiting room that an employee will receive special treatment.
Travel agent fills out NIV applicant’s DS 160 and inflates the applicant’s salary and time on their job.
FRAUD: An outside party intentionally submitting false information on an application is FRAUD.
When can you access a record in the CCD, NIV, ACS or IV systems?
Only when you have an official, business-related reason to do so. Personal interest or curiosity does not constitute a need-to-know.
You just issued a B1/B2 visa for a mother and her young son. The mother recognizes you at lunch and wants to buy you a fancy watch. What do you do?
Politely decline. We cannot accept gifts from those who have received consular services. Creates the appearance of impropriety
Can you help your parents fill out their DS-160s?
Grey area! Generally it’s best to avoid the appearance of impropriety. HOWEVER, you can offer limited assistance in completing the DS-160 online: answer questions honestly; not during work hours; receive no renumeration; recuse yourself from the case.
Can the DEA Attaché have the consular section door code so he doesn’t bother people when he comes to talk to the OCI about cases?
No. Access should be limited to the following employees: Consular staff, the Ambassador or PO and DCM, MSG, the RSO, the Facilities Manager, and the GSO.
Your cousin is filling out her DS-160 at your house, and she asks if she should exaggerate her international travel history.
FRAUD and MALFEASANCE: Using your position and insider knowledge of the process to assist someone and encouraging them to lie are both FRAUD and MALFEASANCE.
What should you do if someone from another agency at post asks for information about a visa applicant?
Direct them to Consular Managers. There are MOUs that govern when and what a consular section may share with another agency.
POL/ECON Chief just arrived to post last Friday and asks an NIV officer if he can submit a PAR for his Ayi
REFERRAL Policy- Participants must receive briefing and be entered in the NIV system.
From amongst your family members, whose U.S. passport record can you look up?
You may not look up passport records for anyone in your family except yourself and your minor child, and then only for purposes of obtaining a new passport, applying for a visa, or for training.
A Public Affairs section contact is coming in for a visa interview after receiving a referral. Can the PAO escort her contact into the waiting room?
No. This could lead to the appearance of impropriety on the part of the PAO that certain applicants are receiving favorable treatment.
You write down the name and phone number of an attractive applicant after issuing their visa to give them travel tips for their upcoming trip.
MALFEASANCE: You must not use consular databases for personal use. Would the applicant feel obligated to meet with you fearing you might cancel their visa if they don’t?
Which law governs the protection of information about American Citizens?
Privacy Act of 1974
Where do you find guidance on the Visa Referral and Priority Appointment Request Programs?
9 FAM 601.8: Nonimmigrant Visa Referral and Priority Appointment Request Programs
Your uncle was issued a visa. He asks you to pick up his passport for him since you work at the Embassy. Can you?
Generally, no. The passport with visa should be returned to him as any other applicant’s passport and visa would at your post (GSS courier, etc). Any variations in this policy should be addressed in a post-specific SOP.
You receive a referral from the DCM for her children’s nanny to accompany them when she transfers to Washington, DC. Can you accept it?
No. Referrals may not be submitted for domestic staff, i.e., nannies, medical assistants, etc., including those working for mission personnel.
You notice that some applicants let others go ahead of them in the line while waiting for their interview.
DEPENDS. OKAY: Allowing special-needs applicants to go ahead (best for us to do). FRAUD: Trying to pick a specific officer. MALFEASANCE: An employee is passing an applicant to an “easy” adjudicator, or an officer is picking specific applicants.
Which section of the law governs the protection of visa records?
INA 222(f): Information in visa records: "shall be used only for the formulation, amendment, administration, or enforcement of the immigration, nationality, and other laws of the United States.”
What do you find under the “Transmittals” link under the 9 FAM Visas section in the FAM/FAH search function?
Transmittals are all the FAM updates in chronologic order. A great place to see what changes have been recently made!
Your favorite niece was refused 214b for an F1 student visa. Her mother (your sister) asks you to find out why so your niece is better prepared for her second try. Can you look up the refusal notes?
You cannot access visa records for personal reasons. You can perform routine tasks on her applications, but you must not give your family members ANY information about their visa refusal adjudications.
The newspaper identifies a subject in a terrorist attack as a national of your post’s country. Can you look up the case to see who issued the visa?
It could be appropriate for the Fraud Unit or a consular manager to look up his case for revocation, coordination with law enforcement, or other official purposes; but NOT for personal curiosity.
One of the other agencies at post submits priority appointment requests for their contacts to attend U.S. conferences that you can’t find online via Google searches.
Could be FRAUD or MALFEASANCE, or both. Applicants lying about non-existent conferences is FRAUD. Other agencies lying about non-existent conferences is MALFEASANCE.