Diplomatic Security Special Agents Join Task Force with Homeland Security to Strengthen National Security

Fact Sheet
Washington, DC
June 30, 2008

Beginning in April 2008, the Department of State’s Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS) began permanently assigning DS Special Agents to Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force (DBFTF) locations throughout the United States. The DBFTF is a multi-agency, criminal investigative entity overseen by the Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). With the first such Task Force formed in response to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the recent expansion of the program enables DS to partner with ICE and other federal, state, and local agencies to detect, deter, and disrupt criminal organizations and individuals that pose a threat to national security and public safety through the perpetration of document and benefit fraud.

For the 2008 phase of the program, DS Special Agents are assigned to DBFTF teams in: New York City, Washington, D.C., Boston, Miami, Los Angeles, Detroit, Newark, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Dallas, Atlanta, and Denver. Additional DS headquarters personnel have been assigned to support its operations and analysis. DS Special Agents stationed overseas at nearly 200 embassies and consulates complement the Task Force mission by facilitating the exchange of critical information and evidence.

The Department of State is committed to defend the homeland and our foreign partners from terrorist attack through aggressive and coordinated international law enforcement action. Investigating and targeting criminals who generate and/or use fraudulent travel documents is one of the most effective means by which to disrupt terrorist mobility, human smuggling, and human trafficking. Such investigations require a coordinated international and domestic law enforcement effort to ensure that terrorists and criminal violators are investigated, arrested, and prosecuted. In addition to supporting the Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force, DS actively participates at the Human Smuggling and Trafficking Center and on the Joint Terrorism Task Force. Through this representation, DS is able to leverage a global network of law enforcement participants to enhance its worldwide investigative capacity.

The Bureau of Diplomatic Security is the U.S. Department of State’s law enforcement and security arm. The special agents, engineers, and security professionals of the Bureau are responsible for the security of 285 U.S. diplomatic missions around the world. In the United States, Diplomatic Security personnel protect the U.S. Secretary of State and high-ranking foreign dignitaries and officials visiting the United States, investigate passport and visa fraud, and conduct personnel security investigations. In 2007, DS participated in 1,955 arrests globally, primarily for passport and visa fraud, including 406 arrests overseas in cooperation with foreign police. Read more in the U.S. Department of State’s Visa and Passport Security Strategic Plan at http://www.state.gov/m/ds/rls/rpt/79895.htm. Additional information about the U.S. Department of State and the Bureau of Diplomatic Security may be obtained at www.state.gov/m/ds