Securing America's Humanitarian Mission: How Mobile Technology Can Enhance Refugee Vetting
Abstract
The security vetting of refugees proves problematic, as refugees are often without documents to verify their identity. However, refugees are often in possession of mobile devices that could serve as a proof of identity. If the United States Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) implemented a mobile phone vetting program, it could assist in identifying nefarious actors while expediting the security vetting process. Three policy alternatives were analyzed for a mobile phone screening program in the USRAP: (1) maintain the status quo of applicants' mobile phones not being screened, (2) implement mandatory screening of all applicants' mobile phones, and (3) administer a threat-based targeted approach where only the phones of applicants whose cases have fraud and/or national security indicators are screened. The alternatives were evaluated by efficiency (time and cost), risk to national security, and ethical consideration. Ultimately, a threat-based targeted approach was determined to be the best policy alternative, as it optimized efficiency, minimized risk to national security, and limited arbitrariness of mobile phone screening.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 2021
- Accession Number
- AD1164932
Entities
People
- Gregory S. Kessinger
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School