Search Results for agency_names:"State Department"

The Department of State has issued a new rule updating the eligibility for Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs). This change, effective December 10, 2024, now includes the surviving spouses and children of U.S. Government employees who have served faithfully for 15 years or were killed in the line of duty abroad. The rule aims to support recruitment and retention of local employees by ensuring their families can receive visas if the employee dies. These updates are in response to the Emergency Security Supplemental Appropriations Act (ESSAA) and reflect the Department's efforts to enhance diplomatic staff's conditions globally.

The document is an annual report on actions taken under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act by the U.S. to address serious human rights abuses and corruption worldwide. It highlights the designation of 243 foreign individuals and entities involved in such activities, leading to the blocking of their U.S.-based assets and imposing economic sanctions. Key targets included officials from China, South Sudan, Uganda, and Russia, among others, who have been identified for severe human rights violations or corrupt practices. The report also details efforts to collaborate with other countries, like the UK and EU, in adopting similar sanctions measures.

The Department of State has issued a final rule to amend the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), specifically adjusting the fees required for registration with the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC). The updated rule increases the registration fees for the first time in fifteen years, necessary to cover rising operational costs and prevent budget deficits. Responses to public comments were considered, particularly concerning the impact on small businesses, leading to the introduction of a discounted fee for qualifying Tier 1 registrants. The changes aim to maintain DDTC operations while ensuring fair distribution of costs among registrants.

The Department of State issued a final rule to adjust civil monetary penalties (CMP) across several regulatory areas, including fraud, chemical weapons, arms control, and lobbying. The adjustments align with annual inflation guidelines set by the Office of Management and Budget based on a December 2024 cost-of-living adjustment multiplier. These new penalty amounts will apply to violations occurring on or after the rule's effective date, January 10, 2025. The rule ensures penalties keep up with inflation, following mandates from recent legislation and guidelines.

The State Department has approved the use of up to $16 million for foreign assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. This money will support countries participating in the Multinational Security Support mission in Haiti. The decision, authorized by Deputy Secretary of State Richard R. Verma, was made possible by overriding other legal provisions. This determination will be reported to Congress and published in the Federal Register.

The Department of State has issued a final rule that updates the criteria for issuing "diplomatic type" or "official type" visas, aiming to better align with U.S. laws and international travel practices. This rule expands the previous definition of passports by including non-national travel documents, such as those from organizations like the United Nations, as potential equivalents to diplomatic passports. It also clarifies the categories of individuals who can receive these visas, making distinctions to avoid confusion between visa types and classifications. These changes ensure that the visa issuance process for diplomatic, official, and regular types is consistent and transparent.

The Department of State has updated the Exchange Visitors Skills List, which identifies countries that need people with certain specialized skills. This list is used to see if someone in the U.S. on a "J" nonimmigrant exchange visa must spend two years in their home country before applying for other U.S. visas. This updated list replaces the previous version from 2009 and incorporates factors like a country’s GDP and migration rates to decide which skills are necessary. This list helps with U.S. foreign policy and doesn't require the usual public comment process due to its relation to foreign affairs.

The Department of State issued a final rule to update the civil monetary penalties (CMP) it imposes due to inflation, following guidance from the Office of Management and Budget. This adjustment is based on the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act and requires annual modifications. The new penalties will affect various parts of the department's regulations, such as fraud, chemical weapons, arms exports, and lobbying activities and will apply to offenses assessed from February 2, 2021, onward.

The Department of State has released a detailed report on gifts received by federal employees from foreign governments in 2023. This report, compiled by the Office of the Chief of Protocol, includes gifts that exceed a minimal value of $480, as defined by U.S. law and regulations. It also incorporates certain gifts from prior years that were not included in earlier reports because they were not reported on time. The publication of this report in the Federal Register is required by federal law.

The Department of State is updating the International Traffic in Arms Regulations by revising the U.S. Munitions List (USML) to include or remove items and clarify certain entries. These changes aim to better control defense articles and services, ensuring they continue to provide a critical military or intelligence advantage. While the new rules are set to take effect on September 15, 2025, the department is also seeking public comments by March 18, 2025, to further refine the regulations.