The Department of State (DOS) has confirmed that the Kentucky Consular Center (KCC) is verifying information contained in nonimmigrant (including H and L) visa petitions received from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). KCC is creating a petitioner record by verifying petitioner information contained in the petition including, but not limited to, review of the company website, company contact information and use of Google Earth to confirm that an office exists in an appropriate physical location. Once the record is complete, the KCC will not normally re-verify the petitioner information for two years.
KCC has also initiated a pilot program for verifying information related to beneficiaries and proposed US employment. This verification is primarily conducted through random telephone calls to petitioners by KCC contractors. The telephone calls are unannounced and generally occur shortly after the petition is approved by USCIS and transferred to the KCC. Questions may include verification that the petitioner submitted the petition, date of incorporation, physical location address, number of employees, location of attorney and general information regarding the petitioner’s operations. This information will be entered into a database available to consular officers during the beneficiary’s visa interview. Consular officers have been directed to review the report and question the beneficiary regarding any discrepancies.
To prepare for potential verification phone calls, employers should review all immigration petitions prior to signing to verify accuracy of the information contained in the petition and retain a complete copy of the petition in an accessible and confidential file to review prior to speaking with a KCC contractor. Employers should direct employees to forward any immigration related phone calls to a designated representative familiar with immigration petitions. Employers should also request the name of the KCC contractor and confirm the credentials of the contractor prior to providing any information. Immigration counsel should be advised of any contact by the KCC and, if possible, included in the phone call.