UNCLASSIFIED REPORT OF THIRD MEETING OF POST'S

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ABU DHABI 000171 SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPT FOR D/HS HOMELAND SECURITY GROUP, DS/ITA, DS/OP/NEA, NEA/ARP, S/CT, NEA/EX, CA/VO, CA/OCS/NEASA, AND M E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PTER CVIS PREL AMGT TC SUBJECT: UNCLASSIFIED REPORT OF THIRD MEETING OF POST'S HOMELAND SECURITY WORKING GROUP REF: A) ABU DHABI 96, B) 02 ABU DHABI 6017, C) 02 ABU DHABI 2399, D) ABU DHABI 511 ¶1. (U) Post provides the following unclassified version of ref a as requested by CA. SUMMARY -------------- ¶2. (SBU) The UAE Mission's HSWG is rapidly developing into a highly useful forum to discuss a broad range of issues which bear on homeland security. The pooling of information and ideas, and the support provided by the HSWG for the consular mission, has already been commented upon favorably by conoffs, who feel better- informed and less isolated as a result. The third monthly meeting of the HSWG provided an opportunity for Conoffs to brief on the possibility of possible IV fraud, particularly by Yemeni applicants here seeking to enter the U.S. as stepchildren of U.S. citizens -- such visas can be obtained in as little as 18 months and are not subject to the Condor process, although they do go through CLASS. Concerns regarding UAE passports issued as travel documents to non-citizens and erroneous place of birth information for naturalized UAE citizens were also raised, as was possible entry into CLASS of individuals seeking to violate U.S. export control regulations. The Congen Dubai representative briefed on Dubai's new expedited exit and entry system for residents of that emirate which is now online at Dubai international airport. End Summary. MORE SECURITY FOCUS NEEDED ON IMMIGRANT VISA PROCESS -------------- -------------- ¶3. (SBU) A/DCM convened the third monthly meeting of the UAE's Homeland Security Working Group (HSWG) on January ¶5. Consular officers briefed the HSWG on the disparity between the extensive Condor process for NIV applicants of concern and the lack of similar procedures for Immigrant Visa (IV) applicants. In some cases, IVs can be obtained in as little as 18 months. Conoffs are concerned in particular with potential fraudulent applications for IVs here by Yemenis claiming to be the stepchildren of U.S. citizens. In most cases, the claimed Amcit parent is listed as deceased, making DNA testing impossible, and submitted documents are often of a highly suspicious nature. CONCERNS REGARDING UAE PASSPORTS -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Conoffs briefed on difficulties determining the status of holders of UAE passports, as well as the validity of the identifying information contained in these documents. The UAEG has confirmed that UAE passports are on occasion issued to non-UAE citizens as travel documents. These passports are not different either in form, content or validity from the passports issued to nationals (see refs b and d). Furthermore, the data contained in UAE passports -- particularly those of naturalized citizens -- is frequently incorrect (see ref c). UAE naturalized citizens, for example, will have their place of birth changed to Abu Dhabi. This is common practice because the benefits enjoyed by nationals depend upon the emirate from which they hail. OTHER ISSUES -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Consulate Dubai representative (Consular section chief) reported on the Dubai emirate initiative to issue fast-track cards to residents which expedites arrival/departure at Dubai International Airport. The card contains digitized passport and other data, and is verified by an index fingerprint scanner. While this is in many cases a more secure means of determining identity of a traveler than a passport, the use of the card on arrival and departure means that there is no record on any travel document of the comings and goings through Dubai of the card holder -- other than that contained in Dubai Immigration computers. At the close of the meeting, Foreign Commercial Service export control officer reported on the results of several pre- license checks. Wahba