State Department

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.

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…

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State Department is firing over 1,300 employees under Trump administration plan

By Matthew Lee, Associated Press

The cuts have been roundly criticized by current and former diplomats who say they will weaken U.S. influence and its ability to counter existing and emerging threats abroad.

AI tech used to impersonate Rubio in messages to foreign and U.S. officials

By Matthew Lee, Associated Press

The State Department is warning U.S. diplomats of attempts to impersonate Secretary of State Marco Rubio and possibly other officials using AI-driven technology.

WATCH: State Department holds news briefing as Rubio helps brief Congress on Iran strikes

By Associated Press

The classified briefing, originally scheduled for Tuesday, also comes as the Senate is expected to vote this week on a resolution that would require congressional approval if President Donald Trump were to order another strike on Iran.

WATCH: OMB Director Vought testifies on Trump's rescission request in Senate hearing

By Kevin Freking, Associated Press

A Senate panel challenged on a bipartisan basis the merits of cancelling billions of dollars in spending for foreign aid and public media as part of a contentious hearing Wednesday examining the White House's request for the cuts.

State Department resumes visas for foreign students but demands access to their social media

By Matthew Lee, Associated Press

The department says consular officers will be on the lookout for posts and messages that could be deemed hostile to the United States, its government, culture, institutions or founding principles.

WATCH: Task force will help Americans who want to leave the Middle East, State Department says

By Associated Press

The task force, run by the Bureau of Consular Affairs, is operating 24 hours to provide information to U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents wanting to return to the United States.

WATCH: State Department briefing addresses sanctions on ICC judges, Trump's new travel ban

By Matthew Lee, Molly Quell, Associated Press

The Trump administration is slapping sanctions on four judges at the International Criminal Court over the tribunal’s investigation into alleged war crimes by Israel in its war against Hamas in Gaza and in the West Bank.

U.S. stops scheduling foreign students' visa interviews while expanding social media vetting

By Matthew Lee, Annie Ma, Associated Press

A U.S. official said Tuesday the suspension is intended to be temporary and does not apply to applicants who already had scheduled their visa interviews.