Confused about security check on P3

[notrevorich]

OH Boy do I feel good

Just called the DOS and they told me that the P-3 was loogged in on Sept 16

-they received it on September 9 , so things are moving Faster ?

Also the Very Nice lady told me that the security check was completed on june 6 , 2005

It was My understanding that the GUZ does another security check before they send you the P4 .

is that correct or are we out of the security "black hole " ?

[Guest ShaQuaNew]

  OH Boy do I feel good 

Just called the DOS and they told me that the P-3 was loogged in on Sept 16 

-they received it on September 9 , so things are moving Faster ?

Also the Very Nice lady told me that the security check was completed on june 6 , 2005

It was My understanding that the GUZ does another security check before they send you the P4 .

is that correct or are we out of the security "black hole " ?

158426[/snapback]

I sent you a PM regarding security checks. Don't worry too much about the black hole thing, though it happens it simply means that a petition or application is receiving additional scrutiny. My understanding is that after a petition is approved it's sent to GUZ where a namecheck occcurs on the beneficiary. This is a more in depth scruity than what occurs stateside. Review what I sent you to learn more.

[Guest ShaQuaNew]

see also...

 

 

At National Visa Center (State Department) stage, a separate independent NCIC database check is done by in-house FBI staff in connection with information supplied in the DS-230. Based on results, NVC has the option to request full fingerprints to be taken at post. NVC checks can usually be completed in 24 hours. In some limited cases involving high-risk visa applicants meeting certain specific criteria, NVC also does Security Advisory Opinions (SOAs) before sending the file to Consular Post.

 

At Consular stage, there are three (3) Visa Security name checks done: CONDOR, MANTIS AND MORE ANOTHER NCIC (via CLASS)

[Consulate has option, if warranted, to run full gamut of checks, such as CCD (past visa applications & results), TIPOFF (DOS Bureau of Intelligence), NAILS (Nat'l Automated Immigration Lookout System), TECS II (Treasury Dept. database), TSC & TTIC (DOS Terrorist screening)].

 

CONDOR refers to a check done mostly of information supplied on Form DS-157, and focuses on visa applicants with a potential terrorist, firearms or weapons background. CONDOR in most cases should be completed in 90 days or less. If not, contact the VO Public Inquiry line at Tel: 202-663-1225 or usvisa@state.gov

 

MANTIS refers to when potentially sensitive technologies might be used by the visa applicant in her visit to the U.S. If the visa applicant might employ a "critical-fields" technology in the U.S. which could have a "dual-use" such military or national security application, this check will be done to screen out a high-risk applicant. Most MANTIS checks can be done in 30 days. If not, contact the SAO Problem Resolution Unit at saoinquiries@state.gov.

 

NCIC (via CLASS) refers to the name check procedure done by the Consulate with the NCIC criminal database at FBI. This procedure screens visa applicants by name to see if there is a "hit" with the criminal database: that is, a person in the criminal database has the same or very similar name to the visa applicant.

 

"False Hits" Problem: Consular posts however have recently been inundated with "false hits" from 7 million new names added to the NCIC database, including persons with convictions for minor offenses such as simple DUIs and shoplifting. Many visa applicants with common names with those in the database get a "false hit": the refers to when a visa applicant's name matches a name in the datebase but is NOT actually that same person in the database, just a person with a common or very similar name. This places the case into what is called "Administrative Review". Under current rules, the Consulate is required in this circumstance to receive full clearance from FBI (via the NVC) before Consulate can issue the visa. It may require a full fingerprint check and customized investigation. Full clearance from FBI (via the NVC) in most cases can take 4 to 6 weeks, but in some cases much longer and even months.

 

"False hits" have become a major problem for some visa applicants. There are reportedly an alarming number of false hits caused by similar or identical or very similar names, or errors, inconsistencies or discrepencies in listed names in official documents. This is true especially in countries, such as the Latin countries, where there are only a few surnames and name-similarity is common, or record-keeping accuracy in official documents is dubious. Reportedly, approximately half of all names in the NCIC database are Latino, and this has resulted in a high number of false hits for individuals with common or very similar last names at Consulates in the Latin countries. Applicants presently are not allowed the opportunity to prove that they are not the same person as that on the database, nor is there a way to initiate security checking in advance of the visa application.

 

Thus, the best protection for visa applicants to avoid name check problems and delays resulting from Administrative Review at the Consulates and USCIS is: providing full, accurate and truthful name information (first, last, middle, and other) in all forms and documents, timely submission of local police clearance reports and promptly complying with any request for full fingerprints.

*STATUS CHECK OF CASES IN ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW: Status Checks of cases in administrative review should first be addressed to the Consulate in question. Click Here for List of Consulates. The State Department's Office of Visa Services can also assist in status checking of cases which are unusually delayed. Tel: 202-663-1225 (Punch 1, Then 0, Avg. Wait Time Approx. 15 minutes to Speak with a Live "Visa Specialist", ET 8:30 AM to 5:00PM). E-Mail: usvisa@state.gov Click Here for More Information.

*WRIT OF MANDAMUS: In certain extra-ordinary cases, a Federal Court remedy may be potentially available: Action for Writ of Mandamus filed in the District Court where the Petitioner resides. As explained by the U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit:

"Mandamus is an extraordinary remedy and is available to compel a federal official to perform a duty only if: (1) the individual's claim is clear and certain; (2) the official's duty is nondiscretionary, ministerial, and so plainly prescribed as to be free from doubt, and (3) no other adequate remedy is available. Azurin v. Von Raab, 803 F.2d 993, 995 (9th Cir.1986)."

See: Patel v. Reno (U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Cir., No. 96-55359a, Jan. 16, 1998)(Court issues writ of mandamus to Consular Officials at U.S. Consulate in Bombay, India because "consulate had a duty to act" when Petitioner's family visa applications were under administrative review for eight years without decision).

*INTERNATIONAL MARRIAGE BROKERS BILL: Security Name Checks at USCIS and Consulate will only intensify if current pending legislation is passed by Congress and signed by the President. Pending legislation mandates higher level security checks of both Petitioner and Beneficiary, including check of court-restraining (or "no-contact") court orders and past domestic violence history, and limit Petitioners to one fiancee visa petition per calendar year.

See: International Marriage Brokers Bill.

[frank1538]

From a previous post by tywy - http://foia.state.gov/masterdocs/09fam/0942062PN.pdf