Bureau of Consular Affairs

Bureau of Consular Affairs
Bureau overview
Jurisdiction Executive branch of the United States
Headquarters Harry S. Truman Building, Washington, D.C., United States
Bureau executives
Parent department U.S. State Department
Website http://travel.state.gov/

The Bureau of Consular Affairs (CA) is a bureau of the U.S. Department of State reporting to the Under Secretary of State for Management. The mission of the Bureau is to administer laws, formulate regulations and implement policies relating to the broad range of consular services and immigration. As of 2014, the bureau is headed by the Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs, Michele T. Bond.

History

The precursor to the Bureau of Consular Affairs, the Bureau of Security and Consular Affairs was created in 1952 upon passage of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The Bureau was charged with issuing visas and passports, and extending visas for non-immigrants in the United States. For a temporary period of time in 1954, the Bureau was known as the Bureau of Inspection, Security, and Consular Affairs. In 1979, the security functions were moved to an Office of Security, which later became the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, and the Bureau of Consular Affairs was born.[1]

Passports

Issuance of U.S. Passports to American citizens is the responsibility of the Bureau. Over 119 million valid U.S. passports are currently in circulation. 13.5 million passports and passport cards were issued in fiscal year 2013.

Since June 1, 2009 all American travelers entering the United States at land borders or sea ports of entry will be required to show proof of citizenship. The passport card is a cheaper, convenient alternative to comply with such regulations.

The Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Passport Services is Brenda S. Sprague.

Passports may be issued domestically in the US as well as by US Embassies or Consulates abroad to the US Citizens. In 2006, the Bureau of Consular Affairs began the widespread issuance of Electronic Passports or "e-passports."[2]

Citizen support

The Consular Affairs Office of Overseas Citizens Services advises and supports U.S. citizens and U.S. embassies and consulates around the world in such matters as:

To assist the traveling public, the bureau issues country specific information, travel warnings, and travel alerts concerning conditions in countries where Americans may be planning to visit or reside. The Bureau also maintains the volunteer Warden Program, designed to help protect and inform US citizens in host nations.

Visas and immigration

Following regulations established by Congress in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), consular officers overseas, under the guidance of the Bureau's Office of Visa Services, are responsible for issuing all non-immigrant and immigrant visas. (Over 7.75 million non-immigrant visa and approximately 744,000 immigrant visa cases were processed in fiscal year 2006.)

The Bureau of Consular Affairs also administers the provisions of the INA as they relate to the Department of State in coordination with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement within the Department of Homeland Security.

International child abduction and adoption

The Office of Children's Issues creates, develops and coordinates policies and programs on international child abduction and international adoption issues. In this respect, it is the US Central Authority under the terms of the Hague Abduction Convention and the Hague Adoption Convention.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Bureau of Consular Affairs History". AllGov. 2013-01-30.
  2. ↑ "Media Note from the Office of the Spokesman, US Dept. of State, Washington, DC" (Press release). US Dept of State. August 14, 2006. Retrieved 2006-08-28.

External links


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