New Visa Restriction Policy for Transportation Operators Facilitating Irregular Migration to the United States
The State Department is today implementing a new visa restriction policy under Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) Section 212(a)(3)(C) that targets owners, executives, and senior officials of charter flight, ground,…
Reward Offers for Information on LockBit Leaders and Designating Affiliates
The Department of State is announcing reward offers totaling up to $15 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of any individual participating in a LockBit ransomware variant…
FTC Takes Action Against Tax Prep Company H&R Block For Wiping Consumers’ Data, Deceptively Marketing ‘Free’ Online Filing
The Federal Trade Commission is taking action against tax preparation company H&R Block for unfairly deleting consumers’ tax data and requiring them to contact customer service when they downgrade to…
Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with Brazilian President Lula da Silva
The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller: Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva today in Brasilia, Brazil. Secretary Blinken expressed…
Houthi Attacks on International Shipping
The United States condemns the reckless and indiscriminate attacks on civilian cargo ships by the Houthis. The Houthis are behaving like a terrorist organization – attacking civilians, civilian shipping, and…
Assistant Secretary Phee Engages on Sudan in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
During her recent travel to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in connection with the African Union Summit, Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Molly Phee, accompanied by USAID Assistant Administrator for…
FTC Finalizes Order with Global Tel*Link Over Security Failures that Led to Breach of Sensitive Data
The Federal Trade Commission has finalized an order with prison communications provider Global Tel*Link Corp. and two of its subsidiaries settling charges they failed to secure sensitive data of hundreds…
Fourth Meeting of the Semiconductor Informal Exchange Network
The Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs held the fourth meeting of the Semiconductor Informal Exchange Network (SIEN) in Mexico City February 12-13. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development…
Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Bitter Travels to India and Qatar
Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Rena Bitter will travel February 19-27 to Chennai, Mumbai, New Delhi, and Doha. The Assistant Secretary will engage with embassy and consulate colleagues…
U.S. Relations with Brazil – United States Department of State
Secretary Antony J. Blinken’s visit to Brasilia, Brazil on February 20, 2024, underscores the United States’ commitment to supporting Brazil’s goals during its Presidency of the Group of 20 (G20).…