JAMAICA: FR RESULTS FORCE APPLICANTS TO FACE THEIR DUAL

UNCLAS KINGSTON 001176 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR CA/FPP C O R R E C T E D COPY CAPTION E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: CVIS SMIG KFRD JM SUBJECT: JAMAICA: FR RESULTS FORCE APPLICANTS TO FACE THEIR DUAL IDENTITY ¶1. (U) SUMMARY: Embassy Kingston's Fraud Prevention Unit (FPU) continues its work in detecting and combatting fraud by using existing technologies, building partnerships, and documenting trends. In this regard, we are pleased to report that thus far in FY 2010, we have intercepted several applicants presenting dual identities through the use of the facial recognition (FR) software. Due to FR results, we were able to prevent these applicants from receiving U.S. visas and flag them with ineligibilities. Case 1: Visas to Foster Illicit Activities -------------- -- ¶2. (SBU) In one case identified through FR, the applicant was prosecuted for a drug trafficiking offense and then proceeded to apply for visas to the U.S. and other countries under an assumed alias. In 1998, applicant Christopher Solomon, date of birth 04 December 1976, was refused a B1 B2 visa under 214(b) regulations. In a follow-up interview in 1999, the applicant was issued a B1 B2 visa and proceeded to travel to the United States. In February 2003, the applicant was arrested for a dangerous drugs violation and ordered removed from the U.S. in April 2003. However, by June 2003, the applicant had secured a false identity, Courtney Alonzo Kerr, date of birth 07 April 1977, and applied for but was denied a visa under 214(b) regulations. ¶3. (SBU) By 2009, the applicant returned to apply under his true identity and was consequently refused as a drug trafficker. However, CLASS hits perplexed the officer; the applicant stated that he had not traveled since 2003, but had confirmed fingerprint matches to dangerous drug convictions from 2007. Shortly after the interview, the CONOFF received FR results and identified that applicant as having a dual identity. The FPU followed up using our network of contacts from other diplomatic missions, and determined that the applicant had entered the U.S. again in 2007 by securing a visa and transiting through Mexico. Thanks to the FR results, we are able to notify all posts, as well as our diplomatic counterparts, of the applicant's efforts to present false documentation to foster travel for illicit activities. Case 2: Visas to Gain Immigration Benefits -------------- -------------- ¶4. (SBU) In a second type of case caught through FR results, an applicant had acquired a false identity to cover up a previous refusal and an overstay in another country. In 2004, Wilbert Uriah Williams, date of birth 31 JULY 1967, applied for and was refused a B1 B2 visa in London under 214(b) regulations. During the interview, the applicant claimed to have been in the United Kingdom since 1998 and presented a Jamaican passport issued in 2003. In 2009, the applicant applied at U.S. Embassy Kingston under his birth name, George Errol Ducran, date of birth 30 July 1964, presenting a Jamaican passport issued in 2005. Mr. Ducran stated that he had been selling clothing in Jamaica for 10 years and intended to attend his father's funeral in a few days in the U.S. Initial checks came back with no results, though FR results were available by the time the applicant returned the following day to pick up his passport. ¶5. (SBU) During an FPU follow-up interview, Mr. Ducran admitted to acquiring a Jamaican passport under the false identity of Williams and using it to apply for a U.S. visa in London. The FPU then reached out to British High Commission counterparts and determined that Mr. Ducran had also defrauded British officials; Mr. Ducran was deported from the United Kingdom in 1997 for overstaying his visa, but was able to secure leave to remain in the United Kingdom in 2003 using the Williams identity. Based on this information, Embassy Kingston is convinced that Mr. Ducran intended to travel to the United States and pursue a false claim to immigration benefits. Mr. Ducran has been flagged with a CLASS permanent ineligibility and British High Commission officials have opened a case to investigate his false claims in the United Kingdom. In addition, in cooperation with our ARSO-I, Mr. Ducran's passport is being returned to the Jamaican Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency's Fraud Unit for prosecution. Identity Fraud Includes Impostors -------------- ¶6. (U) In addition to FR results, Kingston FPU has uncovered identity fraud through focused interviews and field investigations. For example, in December 2009, during the course of a regularly-scheduled split interview for an immigrant visa application, Kingston FPU determined that a lawful permanent resident (LPR) applied for and adjusted status in the United States using a false identity-that of his brother. The individual had stolen his brother's identity in 1982 in order to accept a work permit for Guantanamo Bay. Officers and local staff identified a fraudulently-prepared name change from 2008, which was intended to allow the individual to permanently assume his brother's identity. The details of this case were shared with U.S. and Jamaican government officials, who are taking action to prosecute the fraudulent Jamaican deed document and review the individual's claim to legal permanent residency in the U.S. ¶7. (U) CONCLUSION: In the first quarter of FY2010, FR software has helped U.S. Embassy Kingston identify two applicants presenting dual identities and prevent these individuals from having access to the U.S. Also, because of a strong network of partners in the Jamaican government and other diplomatic missions, Kingston FPU has been able to ensure that these individuals are prosecuted and/or prevented from obtaining further immigration benefits. Parnell