State Hands Off Visa Power in Terror Watch Era
Published Date: 7/22/2025
Notice
Summary
The Secretary of State is giving the Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs the power to decide if certain foreign travelers can enter the U.S. despite restrictions meant to keep out potential security threats. This change helps speed up decisions about who can come in, focusing on national interest. It started in June 2025 and won’t cost extra money but makes the process smoother and clearer.
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Consular Power to Approve Entry
Under the Presidential Proclamation of June 4, 2025, the Secretary of State delegated on June 9, 2025 to the Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs the authority under section 4(d) to determine that travel by a foreign national would serve a United States national interest. The notice says senior State Department officials may also exercise delegated functions, the delegation was published in the Federal Register on July 22, 2025, and the Department indicated the change should speed decisions and will not add costs.
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Key Dates
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