In August 2024, the Biden administration unveiled a program critics derided as a glorified form of marriage “amnesty.”  As part of this initiative, the administration set up a 100% virtual screening process, which raised concerns of marriage fraud among immigration watchdogs such as the Immigration Accountability Project.  Ms. Nolan was a key cog in this effort, according to internal USCIS emails reported about in the Washington Times: (source)

One detail is clear: USCIS is creating a “100% virtual” office to handle the applications.

An internal email late last month said the agency was rushing to recruit immigration officers, assistants and supervisors for the new virtual office, known as Waivers and Temporary Status, or WATS.

The email from Connie Nolan, associate director of USCIS service center operations, confirmed that training for the background check unit won’t begin until Aug. 19 the date the program is supposed to start taking applications. Some positions won’t even be reassigned until a week later, according to the email.

USCIS didn’t respond to repeated inquiries for this report, but Ms. Nolan acknowledged chaotic times at the agency.

“We know there has been a lot of changes in the past couple of years and probably more to come. Change brings opportunities and with it personal growth,” she wrote.

Experts on the immigration security side of the debate said the virtual office is worrying because it increases chances for fraud in a program already ripe for bogus applications.

“In a ‘100% virtual’ program, fraud will be rampant, especially marriage fraud,” said Rosemary Jenks, policy director at the Immigration Accountability Project. “It’s easy to produce fake marriage certificates and other documentary ‘proof’ of long-term residence. It’s a whole lot harder to fake a long-term marriage in person.”…

Virtual screening makes it easier for immigrants to fool immigration officials with sham marriages and obtain US visas. Getting away from in person interviews makes a mockery of the legitimate marriage visa process and should never be allowed.

In 2023, Connie Nolan won a “meritorious rank award” from President Biden.  This is a clear indication that she’s ‘on the team.’ Further, Secretary Mayorkas made comments praising the award recipients’ “dedication to mission”:

WASHINGTON – Today, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas recognized 30 members of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) workforce who received the 2023 Presidential Rank Award (PRA) for exceptional service.

“I am incredibly proud of the 30 DHS executives who have been selected to receive this year’s Presidential Rank Award. The award speaks to these senior executives’ extraordinary dedication to mission and exceptional work as public servants,” said Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.” …

…

… DHS employees selected by President Biden to receive the prestigious awards include: …

…FY2023 Meritorious Rank Recipients

The Meritorious Rank Award is presented to leaders for sustained accomplishments and is awarded to only five percent of career SES members and Senior-Level (SL) employees and Scientific and Professional (ST) corps…

…

- Connie Nolan, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services 

Simply stated – Connie Nolan would not receive this award if she was not perceived by Biden Administration officials as being a team player onboard with the disastrous Biden immigration agenda. (source)

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