President Donald J. Trump announced today the lifting of travel restrictions for Chadian nationals following a period of review in which the Government of Chad improved their identity-management and information sharing practices.

On September 24, following an extensive review and engagement period with countries around the world, the President signed Proclamation 9645 that directed the Departments of State and Homeland Security to restrict the entry of certain nationals of countries identified as deficient in their identity-management and information sharing practices, subject to limited exceptions and waivers on a case-by-case basis, in order to protect the security and welfare of the United States. The September 24 Presidential Proclamation has been fully implemented since December 8, 2017.

Chad is a critical and vital partner to the U.S. counterterrorism mission. Chad has made significant strides and now meets the baseline criteria established in the Presidential Proclamation. For this reason, the travel restrictions placed on Chad are terminated effective April 13. Its citizens will again be able to receive visas for travel to the United States.

We welcome the improved practices by the Chadian authorities, which demonstrate a clear off ramp for countries placed on the travel restriction list. These improvements will improve security for the people of Chad and the United States.

The United States looks forward to further cooperation with Chad on security, good governance, health, and economic development.

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Acting Secretary of State John J. Sullivan will travel to Lima, Peru from April 11-14, to accompany Vice President Mike Pence at the Eighth Summit of the Americas.

During the Summit, the United States will promote priorities of mutual interest to the region, including supporting democracy; addressing the political and humanitarian crisis and restoring democracy in Venezuela; stemming corruption and transnational crime, and promoting economic prosperity in the Western Hemisphere.

While in Lima, the Acting Secretary Sullivan will meet separately with leaders from Peru, Brazil, Haiti, and Mexico. He will also meet with representatives of the governments of the Bahamas, Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, and St. Lucia, as well as with leaders from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras.

The Acting Secretary will also engage with members of Cuban and Venezuelan independent civil society, regional business leaders, and U.S. Embassy staff.

Other senior State Department officials participating in the Summit of the Americas include U.S. Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States Carlos Trujillo, Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs Manisha Singh, Acting Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs Francisco Palmieri, and Senior Official for the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Richard Glenn.

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External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein.

U.S. Columbia River Treaty Negotiator Jill Smail will lead a Town Hall on April 25, 2018, as the United States and Canada prepare to begin negotiations to modernize the Columbia River Treaty regime. The Town Hall, which is free of charge and open to the public, will take place at the Historic Davenport Hotel in Spokane, Washington, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. At this event, U.S. government representatives will provide a general review of the upcoming process and plans for engaging the region. They will also take questions from the public; feel free to send questions in advance to ColumbiaRiverTreaty@state.gov. A call-in number will be available upon request for those unable to attend in person.

The United States recognizes the valuable and dedicated efforts of the tribes, state and local government representatives, stakeholders, and members of the public in contributing to the U.S. Entity Regional Recommendation for the Future of the Columbia River Treaty after 2024. Consistent with the Regional Recommendation, key United States objectives include continued, careful management of flood risk; ensuring a reliable and economical power supply; and better addressing the ecosystem in a modernized treaty regime.

For further information, please email ColumbiaRiverTreaty@state.gov. For press inquiries, please email WHAPress@state.gov.

The Office of Website Management, Bureau of Public Affairs, manages this site as a portal for information from the U.S. State Department.
External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein.

The State Department has received numerous, credible reports that the Cuban government prevented, and continues to prevent, members of independent civil society from traveling to Peru to participate in the Summit of the Americas. Cuban authorities prevented these individuals’ travel through arbitrary stops at the airport, short-term detentions, and visits to individuals’ homes to warn them against trying to leave the island.

The United States condemns these actions. We call on the Cuban government to facilitate full, robust participation in the Summit by allowing the free and unrestricted travel of its citizens, a universal human right.

The United States stands with the brave activists facing repression by the Cuban regime. We are working with the Government of Peru and civil society to promote a Summit that features open, inclusive dialogue with the full participation of independent civil society representatives from Cuba and the hemisphere.

The Office of Website Management, Bureau of Public Affairs, manages this site as a portal for information from the U.S. State Department.
External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein.

The following is attributable to Spokesperson Heather Nauert:

Acting Secretary of State John J. Sullivan spoke by phone twice today with UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson. During these calls, the Acting Secretary and Foreign Secretary discussed the alleged chemical weapon attack in Douma, Syria, which killed dozens of innocent civilians and injured several hundred more. The two leaders discussed the international community’s response and potential further steps the U.S. and UK governments might take in coordination with other partners.

The Office of Website Management, Bureau of Public Affairs, manages this site as a portal for information from the U.S. State Department.
External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein.