Coordination with other Federal departments and agencies

(a) Authority To access information The Bureau of Consular Affairs of the Department is hereby authorized to access, obtain, and use information maintained by any Federal department or agency that is relevant to the adjudication of applications for United States passports or visas, for the purpose of verifying applicant eligibility, detecting fraud, identifying national security or law enforcement concerns, and ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations. (b) Interagency agreements The Secretary may enter into memoranda of understanding or other agreements with the heads of Federal departments and agencies to facilitate the timely and secure exchange of information under this section, including access to information concerning active or ongoing investigations, consistent with applicable laws governing the handling of sensitive or classified information. (c) Privacy and security The Bureau of Consular Affairs of the Department shall implement appropriate safeguards to ensure that any information accessed under this section is handled in accordance with applicable laws governing the protection of personal information. (d) Rule of construction Nothing in this section may be construed to authorize the collection of new categories of information or the use of information for purposes unrelated to passport or visa adjudication, anti-fraud, or national security screening.