Search Results for keywords:"Department of State"

The Secretary of State has imposed sanctions on six entities and eight individuals for their involvement in significant transactions related to petroleum products from Iran. These sanctions aim to block their property, restrict financial dealings, and limit their ability to interact with U.S. financial systems. Additionally, the U.S. will deny visas or entry to those identified as corporate officers or principal owners of these sanctioned entities. This action is part of the U.S. government's efforts to enforce its foreign policy under Executive Order 13846.

The Department of State is organizing a virtual public meeting on January 21, 2025, via Microsoft Teams. The meeting is to prepare for the 12th session of the International Maritime Organization's Pollution Prevention and Response Sub-Committee (PPR 12) scheduled for later that month. The agenda includes discussions on pollution hazards, amendments to MARPOL Annexes, and guidelines for reducing emissions and marine litter. The public can join the meeting by RSVP to the coordinator, Ms. Nicole M. Schindler, by January 20, 2025.

The Department of State is seeking public comments on its proposed renewal of the application form for a U.S. passport, known as form DS-11. This form is used to gather necessary information from individuals or households for issuing passports. Recent updates to the form include a statement that applicants are not required to register as sex offenders and a change to request "sex" instead of "gender" in alignment with a recent Executive Order. The form can be downloaded online or obtained from passport agencies and U.S. consulates, and must be submitted with evidence of citizenship and identity. The public has until March 17, 2025, to submit comments.

The Department of State is asking the public to comment on a proposed information collection process before it is submitted for approval. This involves data collected through the MyGrants application from overseas schools receiving grants from the U.S. government. The State Department wants feedback to confirm if the data collection is necessary, how accurate their time and cost estimates are, and if there are ways to reduce the reporting burden. The comments provided will be public records, so personal information included will be visible to others.

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 Directorate of Defense Trade Controls and the Department of State have informed Congress about several proposed export licenses involving defense articles and services. These licenses, detailed in formal notifications, include exports to countries such as Senegal, Sweden, the UK, and others, and cover items like firearms, aircraft components, and defense services worth significant amounts. The U.S. government is prepared to approve these exports after considering various factors, including political and economic conditions. Further information is contained in the certifications, which are not published to protect business interests.

The Department of State has announced a 30-day period for public comments regarding a proposed information collection aimed at certain visa applicants. This proposal seeks to gather additional information such as travel, address, and employment history over the past 15 years, as well as details about family members, for applicants who may require extra scrutiny for national security reasons. The information is intended to improve the evaluation process for visas and align with protocols for assessing potential security risks. Public comments will help assess the necessity and burden of this information collection.

The Department of State has announced that several individuals have been added to the Department of Treasury's List of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN List). This is because they have been found to be involved in harmful activities related to the government of the Russian Federation, as outlined in an Executive Order. These individuals now have all their property and interests under U.S. jurisdiction blocked, and U.S. persons are generally not allowed to engage in transactions with them. The list and more details about the sanctions can be found on the OFAC website.

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.

The Department of State is seeking public comments on a proposed revision to the Application for a U.S. Passport for Eligible Individuals (form DS-5504). This form is used by people who need to correct their passport, change their name, or replace a limited passport at no cost. The changes include revising certain statements on the form to comply with legal standards and updating language regarding gender to specify biological sex, as required by executive order. Interested individuals have until March 20, 2025, to submit their feedback.