An Interview with FDNS Architect Don Crocetti

Expert Tells of Fraud and National Security Risks in Our Legal Immigration System


Expert Tells of Fraud and National Security Risks in Our Legal Immigration System

The Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate (FDNS) of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service was created to determine whether individuals or organizations filing for immigration benefits pose a threat to national security, public safety, or the integrity of the nation’s legal immigration system. The following is an interview with Louis "Don" Crocetti, Jr. , who is the architect and former Chief of FDNS.


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An Introduction to FDNS

An introduction to Louis "Don" Crocetti, Jr. , who is the architect and former Chief of USCIS' Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate (FDNS). Prior to his retirement in September 2011, after more than 36 years of public service administering and enforcing immigration laws, Don served as the Interim Director of USCIS' Eastern Region, Director of USCIS and legacy INS's Baltimore District Office, and Associate Commissioner of INS Examinations. Don recently founded the Immigration Integrity Group, where he continues to advocate enhancing the integrity of this country's legal immigration system.

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An Introduction to Immigration Fraud

Don Crocetti, architect and former Chief of USCIS' Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate (FDNS), discusses the definition of immigration fraud, or benefit fraud, in agency jargon, and the volume of fraud among the various visa categories.

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Benefit Fraud Assessments

Don Crocetti, architect and former Chief of USCIS' Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate (FDNS), describes the FDNS' benefit fraud assessment program. Specifically, he discusses the implementation of the program, the types of fraud that it uncovered, and its usefulness in fraud detection efforts.

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Marriage Fraud

Don Crocetti, architect and former Chief of USCIS' Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate (FDNS), describes marriage fraud. Specifically, he discusses how the agency’s approach to detecting and preventing marriage fraud have changed over the course of changed as well as the best ways that USCIS can prevent and uncover marriage fraud.

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A Modern Employment Visa Program

Don Crocetti, architect and former Chief of USCIS' Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate (FDNS), describes a way to modernize the employment visa program. Specifically, he proposes a state workforce data-based system and how such a system would improve the integrity of the visa category, more closely reflect local labor market needs, and have the flexibility desired by employers.

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Immigration Fraud and National Security

Don Crocetti, architect and former Chief of USCIS' Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate (FDNS), describes the link between immigration fraud and national security. Specifically, he discusses the critical need for communication between USCIS and law enforcement agencies and what FDNS has to offer as a national security tool.

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Confidentiality Provisions and Privacy

Don Crocetti, architect and former Chief of USCIS' Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate (FDNS), describes the problems created by confidentiality provisions in the 1986 IRCA amnesty program and how they may effect a future amnesty. Specifically, he discusses how applicants who have participated criminal actions or immigration fraud should be handled in any future amnesty program.

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Evaluating DACA

Don Crocetti, architect and former Chief of USCIS' Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate (FDNS), discusses the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Specifically, he discusses how DACA should be used to test anti-fraud programs that could be used in any future, larger mass-amnesty program.

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Affidavits of Support and Sponsers

Don Crocetti, architect and former Chief of USCIS' Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate (FDNS), describes fraud among individuals who sponsor visa applicants, including suspect affidavits of support. Specifically, he discusses the various types of fraud among sponsors and ways to curtail it.

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The Value of Compliance Reviews

Don Crocetti, architect and former Chief of USCIS' Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate (FDNS), describes compliance reviews. Specifically, he discusses how the compliance review programs can coupled with benefit fraud assessments to find fraud indicators, act as a deterrent to fraud, and can be done with limited resources in a cost-effective manner.

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Overseas Verification Program

Don Crocetti, architect and former Chief of USCIS' Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate (FDNS), describes the overseas verification program. Specifically, he discusses the value of the overseas verification program and how USCIS was able to work with the State Department to implement the program.

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The Resolution of Fraud Cases

Don Crocetti, architect and former Chief of USCIS' Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate (FDNS), describes how fraud cases are resolved once FDNS identified fraud in a visa petition. Specifically, he discusses how decisions the role between USCIS, FDNS, and ICE in a fraud case.

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The Vulnerability of Non-immigrant Background Checks

Don Crocetti, architect and former Chief of USCIS' Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate (FDNS), describes background checks. Specifically, he discusses how background checks are currently done and what improvements are needed in the future.

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FDNS Needs

Don Crocetti, architect and former Chief of USCIS' Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate (FDNS), describes some of the needs of FDNS to preserve the integrity of our immigration system and to prevent those who are security and public safety threats or fraudsters from obtaining legal status. Specifically, he discusses the need for additional benefit assessments to be completed at a quicker pace.

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Moving Towards a Cost Effective Immigration System

Don Crocetti, architect and former Chief of USCIS' Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate (FDNS), describes ways to protect the integrity of the U.S. immigration system in a cost effective manner. Specifically, he discusses ways to streamline the removal process and to keep those ineligible to work, out of the workplace.



Jessica Vaughan, Don Crocetti, Bryan Griffith