- News>
- World
US security agents to screen visas in five Muslim nations
Washington, Oct 08: Agents from the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) are to deploy at US Embassies and consulates in five Muslim nations, including Pakistan, to oversee visa issuance as part of a sweeping overhaul of immigration procedures, officials said today.
Washington, Oct 08: Agents from the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) are to deploy at US Embassies and consulates in five Muslim nations, including Pakistan, to oversee visa issuance as part of a sweeping overhaul of immigration procedures, officials said today.
DHS, which in august stationed officials at US Embassies and consulates in Saudi Arabia, will early next year begin placing agents at missions in Egypt, Indonesia, Morocco, Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates, they said.
The countries were chosen because of the high volume of visa requests they process and the presence of members of al-Qaeda and other groups hostile to the United States on their territory or in neighbouring states, a DHS official said. "These first officials and first postings will have regional responsibilities" for visa oversight, said DHS spokesman Gordan Johndroe.
He said the deployment -- an initial round based on the transfer of visa authority from the State Department to DHS which was announced last week -- would involve about 12 agents but would likely grow.
Missions that will house DHS officers include the US Embassies in Abu Dhabi, Cairo, Jakarta and Islamabad and the US consulate in Casablanca, officials said. Bureau Report
The countries were chosen because of the high volume of visa requests they process and the presence of members of al-Qaeda and other groups hostile to the United States on their territory or in neighbouring states, a DHS official said. "These first officials and first postings will have regional responsibilities" for visa oversight, said DHS spokesman Gordan Johndroe.
He said the deployment -- an initial round based on the transfer of visa authority from the State Department to DHS which was announced last week -- would involve about 12 agents but would likely grow.
Missions that will house DHS officers include the US Embassies in Abu Dhabi, Cairo, Jakarta and Islamabad and the US consulate in Casablanca, officials said. Bureau Report