Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08STOCKHOLM558
2008-08-08 11:27:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Stockholm
Cable title:  

ESTA: AN OPPORTUNITY TO ENHANCE U.S. SECURITY

Tags:  ASEC CMGT CPAS CVIS KFRD KVPR PGOV PINR PREL 
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VZCZCXYZ0000
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHSM #0558 2211127
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 081127Z AUG 08
FM AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3666
UNCLAS STOCKHOLM 000558 

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE PASS TO DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC CMGT CPAS CVIS KFRD KVPR PGOV PINR PREL
PTER, SW
SUBJECT: ESTA: AN OPPORTUNITY TO ENHANCE U.S. SECURITY

REF: A. A) STOCKHOLM 0645 2007

B. B) STOCKHOLM 0516 2007

C. C) STOCKHOLM 0391 2007

UNCLAS STOCKHOLM 000558

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE PASS TO DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC CMGT CPAS CVIS KFRD KVPR PGOV PINR PREL
PTER, SW
SUBJECT: ESTA: AN OPPORTUNITY TO ENHANCE U.S. SECURITY

REF: A. A) STOCKHOLM 0645 2007

B. B) STOCKHOLM 0516 2007

C. C) STOCKHOLM 0391 2007


1. (SBU) Post remains concerned about threats to U.S.
security from naturalized Swedes who obtain Swedish passports
by fraudulent means (reftels). Post recommends that the
Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) form be
amended to add a requirement for travelers to list other
names, additional nationalities, and travel documents in
addition to the name, nationality and travel document that
the applicant is using for the proposed U.S. travel. This
would enable detection of some mala fide travelers who also
operate under different identities or nationalities.


2. (SBU) Post has documented a widespread pattern of passport
and immigration fraud by tens of thousands of Middle Eastern
and North African refugees and asylum seekers who are
smuggled to Sweden each year, of whom a small number are
affiliated with terrorist organizations or subscribe to
violent extremist ideologies. Most are economic migrants who
arrive in Sweden with forged or no identity documents, yet
due to Sweden's liberal asylum policies and rapid pathway to
citizenship often obtain Swedish passports within five to
eight years. This pattern represents a vulnerability for
U.S. security that could be exploited by terrorists.


3. (SBU) ESTA partially addresses this problem by requiring
visa interviews for individuals whose biographic information
matches existing watchlist entries or whose responses to
questions reveal ineligibilities. However, it appears that
ESTA in its current form would allow certain dual nationals
who would be subject to security advisory opinions if they
applied for visas to continue to travel visa-free. Expanding
ESTA criteria to require visas for Visa Waiver Program member
country citizens who also hold passports from a state-sponsor
of terrorism or other countries of concern could further
reduce U.S. exposure to these security risks.
SILVERMAN