Jan 14 State Department suspending immigrant visas for 75 countries, citing public assistance concerns By Matthew Lee, Associated Press The State Department says it will suspend the processing of immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries whose nationals are deemed likely to require public assistance while living in the United States. Continue reading
Dec 23 Watch 7:28 How recall of career diplomats fits into Trump's foreign policy shift By William Brangham, Dan Sagalyn In an unusual move, the Trump administration is recalling the ambassadors from nearly 30 countries around the world. William Brangham discussed this move with John Dinkelman, president of the American Foreign Service Association. He had a 37-year career as a… Continue watching
Dec 19 WATCH: Rubio holds year-end news conference, addressing Venezuela, Ukraine war, Gaza and more By Associated Press In a freewheeling, more than hourlong meeting with reporters, Secretary Marco Rubio defended President Donald Trump's radical overhaul in foreign assistance and detailed the administration's work to reach a humanitarian ceasefire in Sudan in time for the new year. Continue reading
Dec 18 State Department announces $10 billion-plus arms sales package to Taiwan, angering China By Matthew Lee, Associated Press President Donald Trump's administration has announced a massive package of arms sales to Taiwan valued at more than $10 billion that includes medium-range missiles, howitzers and drones, drawing an angry response from China. Continue reading
Sep 05 U.S. set to ease travel restrictions on West African leader accused of corruption, officials say By Matthew Lee, Associated Press Two U.S. officials familiar with the matter said the State Department is processing a one-month sanctions waiver for the vice president of Equatorial Guinea, Teodoro “Teddy” Nguema Obiang, following recommendations that it is in the U.S. national interest to blunt growing… Continue reading
Aug 26 WATCH: Rubio jokes this Labor Day is most meaningful ever 'as someone with 4 jobs' By Associated Press Marco Rubio has three other roles in addition to his full-time job as America’s chief diplomat. Continue reading
Aug 21 Trump administration vetting all 55 million U.S. visa holders in growing crackdown By Matthew Lee, Associated Press The Trump administration said Thursday that it is reviewing more than 55 million people who have valid U.S. visas for any violations that could lead to deportation, marking a growing crackdown on foreigners who are even permitted to be in the United… Continue reading
Aug 12 Watch 6:22 State Department drops criticism of Israel and El Salvador in human rights report By Nick Schifrin The State Department released its annual human rights report Tuesday, but unlike in years past, this edition has come under scrutiny for omitting issues and countries with poor human rights records. Nick Schifrin looks at the report and at this… Continue watching
Aug 07 What is a visa bond? Here's who is affected by the U.S. State Department's new program By Gabrielle Lazor, Samantha Putterman, PolitiFact The U.S. State Department announced a new rule implementing up to $15,000 bonds on tourism and business visa applicants from countries with historically higher rates of visa overstays. Here’s who’s affected by the change. Continue reading
Jul 18 Watch 7:12 As State Department office combating human trafficking faces cuts, former leader weighs in By John Yang, Dan Sagalyn For 25 years, the State Department has had an office tracking the scope of human trafficking and working to combat it. In 2023, more than 133,000 victims were identified globally, leading to more than 18,000 prosecutions. Last week, the Trump… Continue watching