Security Concerns Loom as War Appears Imminent
Content:
March 19, 2003 -- With the increasing likelihood of armed conflict in Iraq, foreign nationals planning travel to the United States should be prepared for increased security procedures and significant processing delays at U.S. consulates, embassies and ports of entry. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Department of State (DOS) and the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) have all instituted heightened security and antiterrorism measures that will affect immigration and border procedures for the foreseeable future. In addition, the DHS has raised its threat advisory from a yellow alert, indicating an "elevated" risk of terrorist activity to an orange alert, indicating a "high risk" of terrorist activity; the orange alert is the DHS's second highest level of threat advisory.
Border Procedures
On March 18, 2003, the Department of Homeland Security announced "Operation Liberty Shield," which comprises a series of measures intended to protect U.S. borders and transportation. These measures include heightened security at U.S. land, sea and airports and increased border screening and surveillance.
As a result, travelers should anticipate longer waits at ports of entry as visa validity and identity are checked in law enforcement databases. Foreign nationals should also expect to be subject to more probing questions about immigration status, travel history, the purpose of the visit, background, employment and other issues.
During these entry procedures, foreign nationals should be patient and answer all questions clearly. Omission or misrepresentation of information can result in denial of entry.
New Procedures for Individuals Seeking Asylum
The DHS and the Department of State have jointly announced that individuals who seek asylum in the United States and are from nations where al-Qaeda, al-Qaeda sympathizers, and other terrorist groups are known to have operated will be placed in detention while their applications for asylum are processed. The DHS has declined to publish the list of countries whose nationals are subject to this policy, but it is thought to comprise 34 nations, including Egypt, Iraq, Jordan and Saudi Arabia.
Emergency Procedures at U.S. Embassies and Consulates
Travelers should also be prepared for closures or extremely limited services at U.S. consulates and embassies worldwide. The Department of State has already announced that emergency procedures are in place at U.S. embassies and consulates in Adana, Turkey; Kuwait; Damascus, Syria; Tel Aviv, Israel; and Jerusalem. Non-emergency personnel at these embassies and consulates have been directed to leave and consular services are available for emergencies only. Additional embassy and consular closings are likely in the coming days; therefore, travelers with visa appointments are advised to contact the relevant consulate for information on possible closings, restrictions on services and hours of operations, and other limitations.
Other Law Enforcement Measures
Finally, the Federal Bureau of Investigations has announced that it has undertaken surveillance of Iraqi nationals and other individuals in a program intended to deter reprisals for any U.S. invasion of Iraq. Under this program, Iraqi nationals in the United States are interviewed in order to obtain information that could be used in counterterrorism efforts. At the same time, the FBI has assured the Muslim and Arab-American communities that it will respond promptly to reports of anti-Arab or anti-Muslim violence.
Travel Guidelines
Though it is not possible to detail every travel precaution in the context of this alert, foreign nationals who are planning to travel at this time should be aware of the following points:
· All foreign nationals should ensure that they and their family members possess the required documentation for travel and reentry to the United States.
· All foreign nationals should expect delays, and even closures, at U.S. consulates and embassies worldwide. Foreign nationals who require consular services should contact the appropriate consulate for information on closings and limitations on services.
· All foreign nationals should expect extremely high security and more comprehensive questioning by immigration and border officials when entering the United States.
· Certain foreign nationals who are nationals or citizens of designated countries will be subject to even higher levels of security screening and may be required to register in the Department of Homeland Security's National Security Entry-Exit Registration System (NSEERS).
Content:
March 19, 2003 -- With the increasing likelihood of armed conflict in Iraq, foreign nationals planning travel to the United States should be prepared for increased security procedures and significant processing delays at U.S. consulates, embassies and ports of entry. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Department of State (DOS) and the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) have all instituted heightened security and antiterrorism measures that will affect immigration and border procedures for the foreseeable future. In addition, the DHS has raised its threat advisory from a yellow alert, indicating an "elevated" risk of terrorist activity to an orange alert, indicating a "high risk" of terrorist activity; the orange alert is the DHS's second highest level of threat advisory.
Border Procedures
On March 18, 2003, the Department of Homeland Security announced "Operation Liberty Shield," which comprises a series of measures intended to protect U.S. borders and transportation. These measures include heightened security at U.S. land, sea and airports and increased border screening and surveillance.
As a result, travelers should anticipate longer waits at ports of entry as visa validity and identity are checked in law enforcement databases. Foreign nationals should also expect to be subject to more probing questions about immigration status, travel history, the purpose of the visit, background, employment and other issues.
During these entry procedures, foreign nationals should be patient and answer all questions clearly. Omission or misrepresentation of information can result in denial of entry.
New Procedures for Individuals Seeking Asylum
The DHS and the Department of State have jointly announced that individuals who seek asylum in the United States and are from nations where al-Qaeda, al-Qaeda sympathizers, and other terrorist groups are known to have operated will be placed in detention while their applications for asylum are processed. The DHS has declined to publish the list of countries whose nationals are subject to this policy, but it is thought to comprise 34 nations, including Egypt, Iraq, Jordan and Saudi Arabia.
Emergency Procedures at U.S. Embassies and Consulates
Travelers should also be prepared for closures or extremely limited services at U.S. consulates and embassies worldwide. The Department of State has already announced that emergency procedures are in place at U.S. embassies and consulates in Adana, Turkey; Kuwait; Damascus, Syria; Tel Aviv, Israel; and Jerusalem. Non-emergency personnel at these embassies and consulates have been directed to leave and consular services are available for emergencies only. Additional embassy and consular closings are likely in the coming days; therefore, travelers with visa appointments are advised to contact the relevant consulate for information on possible closings, restrictions on services and hours of operations, and other limitations.
Other Law Enforcement Measures
Finally, the Federal Bureau of Investigations has announced that it has undertaken surveillance of Iraqi nationals and other individuals in a program intended to deter reprisals for any U.S. invasion of Iraq. Under this program, Iraqi nationals in the United States are interviewed in order to obtain information that could be used in counterterrorism efforts. At the same time, the FBI has assured the Muslim and Arab-American communities that it will respond promptly to reports of anti-Arab or anti-Muslim violence.
Travel Guidelines
Though it is not possible to detail every travel precaution in the context of this alert, foreign nationals who are planning to travel at this time should be aware of the following points:
· All foreign nationals should ensure that they and their family members possess the required documentation for travel and reentry to the United States.
· All foreign nationals should expect delays, and even closures, at U.S. consulates and embassies worldwide. Foreign nationals who require consular services should contact the appropriate consulate for information on closings and limitations on services.
· All foreign nationals should expect extremely high security and more comprehensive questioning by immigration and border officials when entering the United States.
· Certain foreign nationals who are nationals or citizens of designated countries will be subject to even higher levels of security screening and may be required to register in the Department of Homeland Security's National Security Entry-Exit Registration System (NSEERS).