How to Report Tourist Visa Abuse in the United States?

If you believe someone is planning to change their tourist visa to a work visa in the U.S. under fraudulent circumstances or is violating immigration rules, it’s important to report the situation to the appropriate authorities. Here’s how you can do that:

1. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

• ICE is the agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws and investigating fraud.

• You can report suspicious activities related to immigration violations through their Tip Line.

Contact ICE Tip Line:

o Online Tip Form: You can submit an anonymous tip using the ICE tip form on their website.

 ICE Tip Form

o Phone Number: Call the ICE tip line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE (1-866-347-2423).

2. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

• If you have specific information regarding the individual’s attempt to change their visa status fraudulently, you can report it to USCIS.

o Use the USCIS Tip Line or report fraudulent activity via their website.

 USCIS Fraud Reporting

3. U.S. Department of State

• If you suspect a visa fraud case, you can report it to the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs.

o The Fraud Prevention Unit deals with such cases and may investigate the matter further.

Contact Information:

o Email: fraudprevention@state.gov

o Phone: 202-663-1225

4. Stay Anonymous

• If you want to remain anonymous, most agencies allow you to submit tips without revealing your identity.

• Ensure you provide as much detail as possible (without speculation) to help authorities investigate effectively.

Important Notes:

• Changing a tourist visa to a work visa is not illegal if done through proper channels (e.g., filing for a change of status with USCIS), but attempting to circumvent the process or misrepresenting information is fraudulent and illegal.

• Visa fraud is taken very seriously, and providing false information can result in severe penalties for the individual involved.

If you're concerned or unsure about the specific situation, contacting one of the above agencies would be a good first step.