U.S. Government News

U.S. Passports: Important Change in International Land and Sea Travel Document Procedures

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 12:50:36 PST

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reminds the traveling public that U.S. and Canadian citizens ages 19 and older should no longer expect that they will be able to prove identity and citizenship by relying on an oral declaration alone. Instead, travelers will be asked to present documents from one of the options below when entering the United States at land or sea ports of entry. Travelers who do not present one of the documents listed below may be delayed as U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers attempt to verify their identify and citizenship.

2007 Paul Wellstone Anti-Slavery Ambassador of the Year

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 11:26:18 PST

The Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (G/TIP) is pleased to announce the selection of Ambassador Michael E. Ranneberger, U.S. Ambassador to Kenya, as the recipient of this year’s Paul Wellstone Anti-Slavery Ambassador of the Year award.

Assassination of Benazir Bhutto

Thu, 27 Dec 2007 12:15:29 PST

On behalf of the United States, I want to express our deepest sympathy on the tragic death of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. We extend our sincere condolences to the Bhutto family and to the families of others who were killed and wounded in the attack. We condemn in the strongest terms possible this cowardly and murderous attack.

Application Fees for Non-Immigrant Visas to Increase On January 1, 2008

Mon, 17 Dec 2007 06:58:39 PST

Effective January 1, 2008, the application fee for a U.S. non-immigrant visa will increase from $100 to $131. This increase allows the Department to recover the costs of security and other enhancements to the non-immigrant visa application process. This increase applies both to non-immigrant visas issued on machine-readable foils in passports and to border crossing cards issued to certain applicants in Mexico.

Diversity Immigrant Visa Lottery Ends Dec. 2

Sat, 13 Oct 2007 07:30:01 PST

The Congressionally mandated Diversity Immigrant Visa Program makes available 50,000 permanent resident visas annually, drawn from random selection among all entries to persons who meet strict eligibility requirements from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States.

Worldwide Caution Alert Issued to U.S. Citizens

Tue, 09 Oct 2007 12:45:42 PST

The Department of State remains concerned about the continued threat of terrorist attacks, demonstrations and other violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests overseas.

Intercountry Adoption of Bhutanese Children

Mon, 30 Jul 2007 17:25:54 PST

Bhutan is a small land-locked Himalayan country with limited tourism and medical facilities. Americans have adopted only one Bhutanese child in the past seven fiscal years.

Update on Iran Democracy Promotion Funding

Tue, 05 Jun 2007 07:10:18 PST

In FY 2006, Congress appropriated no less than $6.55 million (PL 109-102) for Iran and Syria from Democracy Funds (DF) and requested that at least $10 million be spent by the Department on democracy and human rights programs in Iran overall.

Terrorist Added to Rewards For Justice Most-Wanted List

Tue, 27 Mar 2007 19:40:55 PST

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has authorized a new reward of up to $5 million for information leading to the arrest or conviction of Zulkifli bin Hir (a.k.a. Marwan), a terrorist believed to be involved in multiple deadly bomb attacks in the Philippines.

Top 10 Tips for Traveling out of the United States

Tue, 02 Jan 2007 07:06:05 PST

Familiarize yourself with local laws and customs of the countries to which you are traveling. Remember, the U.S. Constitution does not follow you! While in a foreign country, you are subject to its laws.

2008 Diversity Visa Lottery Registrations

Tue, 19 Dec 2006 19:02:54 PST

Over 6.4 million entries for the 2008 Diversity Visa Lottery were received during the two-month electronic registration period, from October 4, 2006, through December 3, 2006. This is an increase from the more than 5.5 million applications received in the 2007 Diversity Visa Lottery. Taking into account dependents, there are more than 10 million participants in the 2008 Diversity Visa Lottery.

Department of State to Introduce Passport Card

Sat, 21 Oct 2006 08:02:00 PST

To meet the documentary requirements of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), the Department of State, in consultation with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), today announced and submitted for public comment a federal rule proposing the development of a card-format passport for international travel by U.S. citizens through land and sea ports of entry between the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda

SAMSUNG EXECUTIVE AGREES TO PLEAD GUILTY, SERVE JAIL TIME

Fri, 22 Sep 2006 09:10:00 PST

A San Jose, Calif., executive of Samsung Semiconductor Inc. the world's largest manufacturer of a common computer component called dynamic random access memory or DRAM has agreed to plead guilty and to serve jail time for participating in a global conspiracy to fix DRAM prices, the Department of Justice announced.

2008 U.S. Diversity Visa Lottery Program Registration Begins Otctober 4th

Wed, 20 Sep 2006 06:19:00 PST

Applications for the 2008 Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery will be accepted between noon Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) (GMT-4), Wednesday, October 4, 2006 and noon Eastern Standard Time (EST) (GMT-5) Sunday, December 3, 2006. Applicants may access the electronic Diversity Visa entry form at www.dvlottery.state.gov during the registration period.

Department of State Begins Issuing Electronic Passports to the Public

Mon, 14 Aug 2006 18:42:00 PST

To enhance border security and to facilitate travel, the Department of State began issuing Electronic Passports (e-passports) to the public today. Production has started at the Colorado Passport Agency and will be expanded to other production facilities over the next few months.

Wanted: Extremists - FBI Offers a $30,000 Reward in ALF Case

Fri, 04 Aug 2006 06:55:00 PST

How would you like to find a fire bomb on your doorstep, even if it was intended for your neighbor and left by activists claiming to be protecting animals? You'd probably feel stunned, like the elderly California woman who could've been killed when this happened to her. Now we're looking for the culprits.

Lebanon Situation Update

Thu, 03 Aug 2006 06:33:00 PST

The Department of State advises Americans that the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, the U.S. Embassy in Nicosia, and the U.S. Embassy in Ankara have completed their mutual efforts to assist Americans to depart Lebanon via Cyprus and Turkey on U.S. government-chartered vessels and aircraft for return to the United States. The sustained endeavors of these offices, working with several U.S. military units, helped approximately 15,000 Americans depart Lebanon from July 16 through August 2, 2006.

Lebanon Situation Update for U.S. Citizens in Lebanon

Sat, 22 Jul 2006 16:35:00 PST

The U.S. Government is using all resources possible to facilitate the speedy and safe departure of American citizens currently in Lebanon using every means available. The departure of every single American citizen who wishes to leave Lebanon is the first priority for the U.S. Government.

Afghanistan Wins Generous Debt Reduction in Paris Club

Fri, 21 Jul 2006 23:24:00 PST

On July 19, the group of major official creditors known as the Paris Club reached agreement on significant debt reduction with the Government of Afghanistan.

International Vacancy Job Announcements - U.S. dept of State

Mon, 10 Jul 2006 07:39:00 PST

INTERNATIONAL VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENTS for UNITED NATIONS AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS