Press Releases: President’s New Immigration Priorities


Press Statement

Rex W. Tillerson

Secretary of State

Washington, DC

October 8, 2017


The President’s new immigration priorities are focused on keeping Americans safe, ensuring our sovereignty through strong borders, and preserving our country as a nation of laws. The first duty of the federal government is to provide for the national security of the American people, and President Trump’s measures will end vulnerabilities in our immigration system that hinder our ability to protect our homeland.

The State Department will do its part by, among other measures, continuing to crack down on passport fraud, making sure all visa applicants are thoroughly screened, and putting pressure on countries to curb illegal immigration at the source. Working together with other federal agencies, we will continue to implement measures that strengthen vetting of those referred for refugee resettlement. Even as we take new steps to protect Americans, we will make sure the United States remains a beacon of liberty for people the world over.






Press Releases: On Tropical Storm Nate in Central America


Press Statement

Heather Nauert

Department Spokesperson

Washington, DC

October 6, 2017


We stand with the people of Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Honduras affected by Tropical Storm Nate, and offer our condolences to the loved ones of those killed in the storm. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. We stand ready to provide assistance if needed.






Press Releases: 11th Anniversary of the Murder of Anna Politkovskaya


Press Statement

Heather Nauert

Department Spokesperson

Washington, DC

October 6, 2017


Eleven years ago renowned journalist Anna Politkovskaya was shot and killed in her Moscow apartment building. We continue to urge Russian authorities to identify and prosecute the person or persons who ordered, planned, and funded this terrible crime.

Ms. Politkovskaya’s reporting brought to light the violation of human rights in Russia and the suffering of victims of the war in the North Caucasus region. Recent reports of abuses against LGBTI persons and extrajudicial killings in Chechnya leave us deeply concerned that human rights violations are still regularly committed with impunity in this region.

The unsolved murders of Ms. Politkovskaya – a dual U.S.-Russian citizen – and other journalists in Russia, as well as threats against journalists exposing more recent abuses in Chechnya, have only worsened an atmosphere of intimidation for the independent press.






Press Releases: The Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations Announces the Construction Award for the New U.S. Embassy in Mexico City, Mexico


Media Note

Office of the Spokesperson

Washington, DC

October 6, 2017


The Department of State has awarded the construction contract for the new U.S. Embassy in Mexico City, Mexico to Caddell Construction Company of Montgomery, Alabama.

The new campus will include a Chancery, Marine residence, and support facilities.

The architect for the project is the joint venture of Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects/Davis Brody Bond of New York, New York.

Since 1999, as part of the Department’s Capital Security Construction Program, the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO) has completed 138 new diplomatic facilities, with an additional 61 projects now in design or under construction.

OBO’s mission is to provide safe, secure, and functional facilities that represent the U.S. government to host nations and support our staff in the achievement of U.S. foreign policy objectives. These facilities represent American values and the best in American architecture, engineering, technology, sustainability, art, culture, and construction execution.

For further information please contact Christine Foushee at FousheeCT@state.gov, or visit https://overseasbuildings.state.gov/.






Press Releases: International Partnership for Nuclear Disarmament Verification (IPNDV) Side Event at United Nations First Committee


Media Note

Office of the Spokesperson

Washington, DC

October 6, 2017


Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Arms Control, Verification and Compliance Anita Friedt hosted an event updating the UN First Committee on the work of the International Partnership for Nuclear Disarmament Verification (IPNDV). The event included speakers from Argentina, Japan, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI), a U.S. non-profit. Participants discussed the conclusion of Phase One of the Partnership’s work, which has focused on building international capacity and deepening technical understanding related to verifying nuclear disarmament. The panel highlighted the importance of the upcoming plenary in Buenos Aires, Argentina, which will mark the end of Phase One, the release of publications documenting the Partnership’s accomplishments to date, and the launch of the next phase of the Partnership’s work in identifying and addressing verification challenges. This technical work is an integral part of further, concrete steps on nuclear disarmament.

For further information, please contact the AVC Press Team at AVC-Press-DL@state.gov.