Border Security: Streamlined Visas Mantis Program Has Lowered Burden on Foreign Science Students and Scholars, but Further Refinements Needed

In February 2005, GAO reported that several U.S. government agencies were not fully connected to State's electronic system for tracking Visas Mantis data, a problem that can lead to unnecessary delays in the Mantis process. GAO recommended that the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary of Homeland Security, develop a timeframe for connecting agencies to the Mantis tracking system. In October 2005, the State Department informed GAO that it had established December 31, 2005 as a firm target for ensuring that all end-users of Mantis data have access to that data through connectivity to the Mantis tracking system. As a result, unnecessary delays in the Visas Mantis process should be eliminated.

In February 2005, GAO reported that consular officers at certain posts continued to need guidance on the Visas Mantis program, particularly through direct interaction with State officials knowledgeable about the program. GAO recommended that the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary of Homeland Security, provide more opportunities for consular officers at key Mantis consular posts to receive guidance and feedback on the Visas Mantis program through direct interaction with agency officials knowledgeable about the program. GAO stated that these opportunities could include, among other initiatives, mandatory one-on-one meetings with officials from the Bureau of Consular Affairs (CA) and Nonproliferation (NP) for new consular officers before they travel to post and additional visits by State officials to consular conferences. In April 2005, State reported to Congress that it had established a policy for consular officers assigned to a post in one of the Mantis countries of interest to receive an in-depth briefing from CA and NP prior to departing for post. State is considering expanding this new policy to consular officials assigned to additional countries. State also reported that in February and March 2005, CA officials traveled to consular conferences in Warsaw, Moscow, and Shanghai, China to discuss Visas Mantis issues. These steps should provide the guidance and one-on-one feedback that consular officers need to avoid submitting Mantis cases on applicants who do not need them or failing to submit cases when appropriate. In addition, this additional feedback should help consular officers include information in their Mantis requests that is most useful to U.S. agencies in Washington.