A 1997 investigative report by the State Department's inspector general faulted the corps for doing that work poorly. However, current and past Foreign Service officers offer tepid backing for Mr. Wenzel. James Ward, a former high-ranking Foreign Service officer for whom Mr. Wenzel worked in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, is one who voices such reservations. Nikolai is smart. But he's writing from a narrow perspective because of his limited time as a Foreign Service officer.
FAIR advocates measures to curb illegal immigration and to change immigration policies.
This post was also processing applicants from countries where fraud and drug trafficking are common. Anti-fraud operations are necessary because visa applicants frequently present counterfeit documents and false identification to deceive consular officials. Regarding fraud operations, Mr. Wenzel argues that the Consular Corps puts more emphasis on politeness and public relations than on fighting fraud. They gain easy entry just by showing their passports. But they are the exceptions to the general rule.