The U.S. Department of State has launched a dedicated online form for members of the public to report suspected fraud or misuse involving U.S. visas.
The State Department’s official visa fraud portal says reports are reviewed for potential investigation and enforcement. The form may be submitted anonymously, although people who provide their name and email address can be contacted for follow-up questions.
What the new portal does
The Department asks tipsters to provide as much identifying information as possible about suspected visa fraud or misuse. According to the privacy notice attached to the form, information submitted through the portal may be used to initiate or support a law enforcement investigation and a review of immigration actions.
The notice also says submitted information may be shared, when appropriate, with federal, state, local, tribal, territorial and foreign law enforcement agencies that have relevant jurisdiction and a need to know.
Anonymous reports are allowed
Providing a name or other personal information is voluntary. The State Department says anonymous submissions are permitted, but withholding identifying information about the person making the report may limit the Department’s ability to seek additional details from that person.
A separate State Department reporting channel
The portal is operated by the State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs and is specifically directed at suspected fraud or misuse involving the U.S. visa system. The Department directs reports concerning other criminal conduct or imminent national security or public safety threats to the appropriate government or law enforcement agency.
This State Department channel is distinct from USCIS’s own secure tip system, which accepts information and supporting evidence concerning suspected immigration-benefit fraud or abuse.
What the form tells us
Federal information-collection records identify the Report Visa Fraud Form as a new information collection and describe participation as voluntary. The State Department’s public page lists the authorities under which the information may be collected and explains how reports may be used and disclosed.
The launch creates a centralized State Department route for the public to submit allegations concerning visa fraud. A submitted tip does not itself establish that fraud occurred, and the public page does not state that every submission will result in an investigation or immigration action.