WELCOME CORPS Celebrate One Year Anniversary
Welcome Corps is a new program that empowers everyday Americans to welcome refugees arriving through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program.
Photo courtesy of Welcome Corps
Africa-Related New York
Welcome Corps is a new program that empowers everyday Americans to welcome refugees arriving through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program.
U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken announces Welcome Corps
In January 2023, the U.S. Department of State, in coordination with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, launched the Welcome Corps, a new program that empowers everyday Americans to welcome refugees arriving through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP). In July 2023, the Department of State introduced the Welcome Corps on Campus, a new targeted education sponsorship initiative that enables U.S. colleges and universities to play a leading role in resettling refugee students.
The boldest innovation in the United States’ approach to refugee resettlement in four decades, the Welcome Corps builds upon our country’s long tradition of providing refuge to people forced to flee their homes. The launch of the program is widely popular among the American public and even more popular among those who personally know someone who is a refugee. In the first weeks following the launch, tens of thousands of people registered to learn more about the program and how they can join the Welcome Corps.
For more than 40 years, the Department of State has partnered primarily with non-profit resettlement agencies to provide initial resettlement assistance to newly arriving refugees. The Welcome Corps creates new opportunities for Americans in communities across the United States to engage directly in refugee resettlement, building on existing opportunities to volunteer with resettlement agencies.
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U.S. Secretary Blinken’s to Visit Cabo Verde, Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria, and Angola
Secretary Antony J. Blinken will travel to Cabo Verde, Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria, and Angola on January 21-26, 2024 to highlight U.S.-Africa partnership since the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, climate, food, health security, future-focused economic partnership, and infrastructure investments in Africa.
Photo by U.S Department of State
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
STATEMENT BY MATTHEW MILLER, SPOKESPERSON
JANUARY 18, 2024
Secretary Antony J. Blinken will travel to Cabo Verde, Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria, and Angola January 21-26, 2024.
Throughout the trip, the Secretary will highlight how the United States has accelerated the U.S.-Africa partnership since the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, including in areas such as climate, food, and health security. He will also emphasize our future-focused economic partnership, and how the United States is investing in infrastructure in Africa to boost two-way trade, create jobs at home and on the continent, and help Africa compete in the global marketplace.
Additionally, the Secretary will advance security partnerships based on shared values such as respect for human rights, promotion of democracy, and expansion of the rule of law. He will reaffirm U.S. commitment to our coastal West African partners through the Strategy to Prevent Conflict and Promote Stability, U.S. partnership with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to address regional challenges, and U.S. efforts to support African leadership in de-escalating tensions and adopting diplomatic solutions to the conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The United States reaffirms its sustained commitment to high-level U.S. engagement with Africa.
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U.S. Migration Policy Overview
FOREIGN PRESS CENTER BRIEFING WITH KATIE TOBIN, DEPUTY ASSISTANT TO PRESIDENT BIDEN AND COORDINATOR FOR THE LOS ANGELES DECLARATION, BLAS NUÑEZ-NETO, ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY FOR BORDER AND IMMIGRATION POLICY, AND ERIC JACOBSTEIN, DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE FOR CENTRAL AMERICA, CUBA AND MIGRATION.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Bureau of Global Public Affairs
JANUARY 11, 2024
FPC TRANSCRIPT: U.S. Migration Policy Overview
FOREIGN PRESS CENTER BRIEFING WITH KATIE TOBIN, DEPUTY ASSISTANT TO PRESIDENT BIDEN AND COORDINATOR FOR THE LOS ANGELES DECLARATION, BLAS NUÑEZ-NETO, ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY FOR BORDER AND IMMIGRATION POLICY, AND ERIC JACOBSTEIN, DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE FOR CENTRAL AMERICA, CUBA AND MIGRATION.
Cover Photo: Metin Ozer @metinozer
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Calls for Congressional Hearing Over Religious Killings in Nigeria
Days before Christmas, hundreds of Christians were killed in Nigeria, along with their Pastor. This is just the latest example of deadly violence against religious communities in Nigeria. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) Calls for Congressional Hearing after State Department Fails to Designate Nigeria and India as Countries of Particular Concern (CPC).
AfricA-Related, New York
Days before Christmas, hundreds of Christians were killed in Nigeria, along with their Pastor. This is just the latest example of deadly violence against religious communities in Nigeria. (Photo: Screenshot)
PRESS RELEASE
January 4, 2024
USCIRF Calls for Congressional Hearing after State Department Fails to Designate Nigeria and India as Countries of Particular Concern (CPC), while Azerbaijan is Added to State Department’s Special Watch List
Washington, DC – The United States
Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) calls for a congressional hearing after reiterating its extreme disappointment that the U.S. Department of State yet again failed to designate Nigeria and India as Countries of Particular Concern (CPC), despite both countries repeatedly meeting the legal standard. Despite this disappointment, USCIRF welcomed the State Department’s decision to include Azerbaijan on its Special Watch List (SWL) for committing or tolerating severe violations of religious freedom pursuant to the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA).
“There is no justification as to why the State Department did not designate Nigeria or India as a Country of Particular Concern, despite its own reporting and statements. USCIRF calls on Congress to convene a public hearing on the failure of the State Department to follow our recommendations,” said USCIRF Chair Abraham Cooper and Vice Chair Frederick A. Davie.
Mass burials taking place in Plateau State. (Photo by Kim Masara / AFPTV / AFP)
“Days before Christmas, hundreds of Christians were killed in Nigeria, along with their Pastor. This is just the latest example of deadly violence against religious communities in Nigeria that even the State Department has condemned. The majority of Commissioners have travelled to Nigeria and noted the threats to freedom of religion or belief and the deadly implications to religious communities,” stated USCIRF Chair Cooper and Vice Chair Davie. “In India, in addition to perpetrating egregious religious freedom violations within its borders, the government has increased its transnational repression activities targeting religious minorities abroad and those advocating on their behalf.”
“USCIRF rejects the State Department’s decision to omit Nigeria and India as CPCs. We met with the State Department on many occasions to sound the alarm about these countries, but not all of our recommendations have not been followed. We will not be deterred and will continue our role as a congressionally mandated watchdog to ensure the U.S. government prioritizes religious freedom as a key component of U.S. foreign policy,” they added.
The State Department re-designated 12 countries as CPCs—Burma, China, Cuba, Eritrea, Iran, Nicaragua, North Korea, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. Furthermore, the State Department again issued waivers on sanctions for Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. In its 2023 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended the re-designation of those 12 countries without any waivers and also recommended CPC designation for Afghanistan, India, Nigeria, Syria, and Vietnam.
The State Department placed Algeria, Azerbaijan, the Central African Republic (CAR), Comoros, and Vietnam on its SWL. USCIRF recommended in its 2023 Annual Report that Algeria, Azerbaijan, and CAR be placed on the SWL, in addition to Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Turkey, and Uzbekistan.
“USCIRF acknowledges the State Department accepted our recommendation to include Azerbaijan on its SWL. At the same time, USCIRF is disappointed that the State Department did not include our other recommendations for CPC or SWL. Though Vietnam is included on its Special Watch List, USCIRF strongly believes Vietnam should be designated a CPC based on the State Department’s own reporting on the government’s religious freedom violations,” said USCIRF Chair Cooper and Vice Chair Davie. “USCIRF formally requests a detailed justification by the State Department as to why our policy recommendations were not fully implemented, including the waivers.”
The State Department also designated eight EPCs, which are non-state actors that engage in particularly severe violations of religious freedom pursuant to IRFA. USCIRF recommended the redesignation of seven of these actors in its 2023 Annual Report: al-Shabaab, Boko Haram, Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the Houthis, ISIS-Sahel (formerly known as Islamic State in the Greater Sahara or ISGS), Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP, also referred to as ISIS-West Africa), and Jamaat Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM).
Since the issuance of its 2023 Annual Report, USCIRF has consistently shared its recommendations with the U.S. Department of State and Congress. In early December 2023, USCIRF met with Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken to reiterate those recommendations. USCIRF released publications on India’s State-Level Anti-Conversion Laws, Ethnonationalism and Religious Freedom in Nigeria, and State Control of Religion in Azerbaijan, and many others. In 2023, USCIRF held hearings on Iran, Burma, Russia, Cuba, Tajikistan, Vietnam, India, and Iraq.
###
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan federal government entity established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze, and report on religious freedom abroad. USCIRF makes foreign policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress intended to deter religious persecution and promote freedom of religion and belief. To interview a Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at media@uscirf.gov.
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SUDAN: SAF & RSF GUILTY of War Crimes and Ethnic Cleansing, Says U.S
Africa Regional Media Hub held a digital press briefing with the U.S. Department of State’s Ambassador-at-Large for Global Criminal Justice, Beth Van Schaack, to discuss war crimes, crimes against humanity, and ethnic cleansing in the “needless and unconscionable conflict” in Sudan.
Oyiza Adaba, New York
Effects and devastation of war. File Photo:Levi Meir Clancy @levimeirclancy
SUDAN
“10,000 Killed
Over 6.8 million Displaced”
December 14, 2023
Africa Regional Media Hub held a digital press briefing with the U.S. Department of State’s Ambassador-at-Large for Global Criminal Justice, Beth Van Schaack, to discuss war crimes, crimes against humanity, and ethnic cleansing in the “needless and unconscionable conflict” in Sudan.
Last week, U.S Secretary of State Antony Blinken made the determination that members of the fighting groups Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) “have unleashed horrific violence, death, and destruction across Sudan. Civilians have borne the brunt of this needless conflict.” Below are the links to the audio and video recordings of the briefing.
“The atrocities today are an ominous reminder of the prior genocide ”
Highlights
A needless and unconscionable conflict by the same perpetrators, the same communities being targeted in the same patterns of criminality
Human Rights Concerns and abuses:
Gender-based Violence: The war has also been waged on the bodies of women and girls who have been terrorized by deliberate systemic sexual violence
U.S has provided nearly $895 million in total humanitarian assistance in fiscal year 2023 through USAID, the Department of State's Bureau of Population Refugees and Migration and other sources;
U.S to rally the international community to help in the violence, address the humanitarian crisis, and promote justice for survivors and victims
The Human Rights Council in Geneva planned an independent investigation committee that was rejected by the Sudanese government
ICC does not have a mandate to work in the current conflict
Audio/Soundcloud Link
Watch full video here
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A "Record-Setting" One Year After U.S. Africa Leaders Summit
The progress made over the last year in implementing the achievements of the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit and how these efforts highlight the U.S. commitment to the African continent, were discussed at this briefing.
Oyiza Adaba, New York
Screen-grab U.S Dept of State Photo.
“President Biden has been clear that African voices belong at the table in every forum where global challenges are discussed”
UPDATE
DECEMBER 12, 2023
The progress made over the last year in implementing the achievements of the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit and how these efforts highlight the U.S. commitment to the African continent, were discussed at this briefing.
The digital press briefing with the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of African Affairs Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Jonathan Pratt, National Security Council Senior Director for African Affairs, Judd Devermont, and Prosper Africa Coordinator, British Robinson, to discuss the progress made over the last year in implementing the achievements of the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit and how these efforts highlight the U.S. commitment to the African continent. Q&A with participating journalists followed.
HIGHLIGHTS
Commitment: $55 billion to Africa over three years and over 40 percent achievement in year one;
The mobilization of more than $8 billion in public and private sector investments in climate and food security, women’s empowerment, and digital inclusion across Africa;
An “unprecedented pace” of Africa Visits: All together, 17 senior U.S. Government officials have visited 26 countries in Africa.
Advocating for a third seat for sub-Saharan Africa on the IMF board, and for permanent representation for Africa at the UN Security Council.
$600 billion for a flagship economic corridor called Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment, PGII, initiative.
White House meeting with President Lourenço of Angola in November and the investment of more than $1.5 billion in the Lobito Corridor for transportation, digital access, agriculture, and clean energy infrastructure projects like solar projects and the bridge infrastructure in Angola and commercial aircraft in Ethiopia.
Digital Transformation with Africa initiative is a flagship effort to expand digital access in Africa is aligned with the priorities outlined in the African Union’s digital transformation strategy;
Rally private sector interest in supporting DTA - a $350 million target
with $82 million already invested;
USTDA has funded 12 digital infrastructure activities across Africa and launched the Africa Data Centers in Ghana and Kenya';
Vice President Harris in March launched the Women in Digital Economy Fund to accelerate the closing of the gender gap with $30 million of initial funding from USAID and the Bill and Melinda Gates.
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UGANDA: U.S Takes Steps to Impose Visa Restrictions for Undermining Democracy
Following the “flawed” 2021 elections. the United States has taken steps to impose visa restrictions on some citizens of Uganda for Repression and for Undermining Democracy And for Repression in Uganda
Africa-related, New York
Flag of The Federal Republic of Uganda
PRESS STATEMENT
ANTONY J. BLINKEN, SECRETARY OF STATE
December 4, 2023
Following the “flawed” 2021 elections. the United States has taken steps to impose visa restrictions on some citizens of Uganda for Repression and for Undermining Democracy And for Repression in Uganda
After Uganda’s flawed 2021 presidential elections, I announced a visa restriction policy targeting those believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, undermining the democratic process in Uganda. At that time, I implored the Government of Uganda to significantly improve its record and hold accountable those responsible for flawed electoral processes, violence, and intimidation.
Today, I am announcing the expansion of the visa restriction policy to include current or former Ugandan officials or others who are believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, undermining the democratic process in Uganda or for policies or actions aimed at repressing members of marginalized or vulnerable populations. These groups include, but are not limited to, environmental activists, human rights defenders, journalists, LGBTQI+ persons, and civil society organizers. The immediate family members of such persons may also be subject to these restrictions.
The United States stands by the Ugandan people and remains committed to working together to advance democracy, human rights, public health, and mutual prosperity. I once again strongly encourage the Government of Uganda to make concerted efforts to uphold democracy and to respect and protect human rights so that we may sustain the decades-long partnership between our countries that has benefited Americans and Ugandans alike.
This visa restriction policy is pursuant to Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act and expands upon the policy Secretary Blinken approved in 2021.
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PAPERLESS VISA: U.S. Announces 2024 Visa Improvements
Julie Stufft, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Visa Services, Consular Affairs, discusses updates in visa processing worldwide that include state-side visa renewals, paperless visas, and record-setting wait times.
Oyiza Adaba, New York
Julie Stufft, DAS for Visa Services, Consular Affairs, discusses updates in visa processing worldwide. This briefing is in-person and on-the-record. Nov. 28, 2023. Photo by State Dept./FPC/Sherry L Brukbacher.
UPDATE
NOVEMBER 28, 2023
Update on U.S. Visa Processing Worldwide by Julie Stufft, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Visa Services, Consular Affairs, discusses updates in visa processing worldwide.
U.S Visas Worldwide Issue
2019 Pre-pandemic processing - 8.5 million U.S. visas issued
2023 Fiscal Year - 10.5 million U.S. visas issued
The press briefing gave updates on the U.S. visa processing at overseas posts for the 2023 Fiscal Year, ending in October. The 10.5 million visas issued at overseas missions is said to have almost hit the highest level ever done in any year.
According to Stufft, “More people who are seeking to visit the United States today can visit the United States immediately than ever before in the past; that is, there are more people who hold U.S. visas that are valid or can travel without visa status to the U.S. tomorrow if they board a flight than at any time in our history.”
The department is still working on reducing wait time, at a '“handful” of countries that still have very high wait times, some exceeding a year still for one category of visa - first-time visitors. All other categories are said to have reduced long wait times globally.
US Visa Wait Time
2022 - 200 Days
2023 - Close to 140 Days
2024 will introduce the option of domestic renewal of visas to applicants starting with a pilot run in January. This means that people who are living and working in the United States on a long-term work visa do not have to leave the United States to apply for their next visa or to renew their visa. They would be able to send their applications to Washington and have it renewed without leaving the country.
This state-side option which was discontinued after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, will start with small with a pilot of 20,000 visas to be issued between December and February, with more categories of workers living in the United States in the rest of 2024.
Visa interviews specifically for prior travelers are out and Paperless visas are in. This means that the visa application process is the same, but there is a – there’s no physical visa in someone’s passport. These changes may take up to 18 months to have widespread use.
Readers are invited to share their U.S. experience with a comment below.
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Press Release: Outcomes of the 52nd Session of the UN Human Rights Council
As we mark the 75thanniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 30thanniversary of the Vienna Declaration and Program of Action this year, the United States will continue to place its commitment to multilateral engagement and human rights at the center of U.S. foreign policy.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of The Spokesperson
Outcomes of the 52nd Session of the UN Human Rights Council
April 4, 2023
As we mark the 75thanniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 30thanniversary of the Vienna Declaration and Program of Action this year, the United States will continue to place its commitment to multilateral engagement and human rights at the center of U.S. foreign policy. At the UN Human Rights Council’s (HRC) 52nd session (February 27 – April 4), the United States worked with allies and civil society partners to ensure the Council’s work and outcomes reflect and reinforce the universal values, aspirations, and norms that have underpinned the UN system for decades. Our engagement focused on ensuring greater emphasis to pressing human rights concerns and building collective action and expanding capacity to address them.
During this session, the United States advanced human rights priorities, particularly those shining a spotlight on human rights situations in Belarus, Burma, and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), as well as on:
Renewing the mandate of the Commission of Inquiry (COI) on Ukraine: The United States worked with Ukraine and cross-regional partners to renew the mandate of the COI that was first created in March 2022 to investigate violations and abuses of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law in the context of Russia’s war against Ukraine. The COI has already provided critical, credible reporting, including finding that Russian authorities have committed war crimes such as the unlawful transfer and deportation of children. The United States was proud to co-sponsor the resolution to renew the COI’s mandate to help ensure the Commission can continue its work to analyze evidence and inform accountability efforts.
Renewing the mandate of the Commission of Human Rights in South Sudan: The United States is part of the core group for this resolution, and the Commission’s contributions to accountability and transitional justice are more important than ever, given ongoing serious human rights violations and the government’s two-year extension of its “transitional period” without achieving any concrete progress.
Renewing the mandate of the Special Rapporteur (SR) on the situation of human rights in Iran: The work of the SR is particularly important given the Iranian regime’s months of brutal acts of violence against peaceful protesters standing up for the rights of women and girls, as well as freedom of expression for the Iranian people.
Renewing the UN Commission of Inquiry (COI) on the situation of human rights in Syria: The COI continues to accurately document widespread violations and abuses of human rights in Syria perpetrated by the Assad regime and other parties to the conflict. The consistent and credible reporting is critical to countering disinformation and advancing accountability for atrocities committed. The United States is part of the core group and co-sponsored this resolution.
Promotion and Protection of Human Rights in Nicaragua: We supported a two-year mandate renewal of the Group of Experts on Human Rights for Nicaragua and will continue to bolster international community efforts to hold the Ortega-Murillo regime accountable for its human rights abuses and repression of civil society.
The United States also co-sponsored resolutions on Cooperation with Georgia, Freedom of religion or belief, Freedom of opinion and expression (including online), Realization in all countries of Economic, Social, and Cultural rights, Promoting Human Rights and Sustainable Development Goals, and Human rights and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals.
In addition, we co-sponsored resolutions that renewed the mandates for the special rapporteurs on human rights defenders, minority issues, human rights of migrants, sexual exploitation of children, contemporary forms of racism, torture, and the Independent Expert on Adequate Housing.
Agenda Item 7:The United States continues to oppose all action under the HRC’s Agenda Item 7, which unfairly singles out Israel. We voted against all resolutions that unjustifiably target Israel, including one under Agenda Item 2 on Accountability and Human Rights and three resolutions under Agenda Item 7.
Defending Civil Society: During this session, the United States stood united with members of civil society and defended their right to speak at the Council, irrespective of the topic. Human rights defenders and NGOs are critical to promoting and protecting human rights and we were dismayed to see multiple transnational repression attempts by certain states to silence their voices.
Joint Statements: In addition to leading a joint statement on behalf of the Freedom Online Coalition reiterating a shared commitment to promoting and protecting Internet freedom, the United States signed onto joint statements regarding International Women’s Day, Resonance of Thoughts and Values of Mahatma Gandhi in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Indigenous Human Rights Defenders, repression and the use of the death penalty in Iran, support for the UN Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture, women and girls in Afghanistan, SOGI (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity) Group of Friends, Child Human Rights Defenders, Responsibility to Protect and the Role of Human Rights Defenders, Academic Freedom, countering disinformation, and Commemorating the International Day Against Racism, as well as the Human Rights situations in Haiti, Nicaragua, and Sri Lanka. The United States also supported multiple joint statements condemning Russia’s war against Ukraine, including joint statements focused on accountability, the findings of the COI on Ukraine, the war’s impact on children, and Russian authorities arbitrarily detaining Ukraine’s civilians, including Ukrainian mayors.
Across resolutions, joint statements, and interactive dialogues, the United States advanced language to increase equity and inclusion, including regarding women and girls in all their diversity, internally displaced persons, LGBTQI+ persons, persons with disabilities, indigenous persons, members of ethnic and religious minority groups, and members of other marginalized and vulnerable groups.
Side Events: The United States co-sponsored and participated in side events focused on accountability for international crimes and serious human rights violations in Belarus; political prisoners in Russia; Justice for Daesh Atrocities; several events on combatting antisemitism; Disability Support and Care Systems; Human Rights in the DPRK; Disability, Torture, and Recovery; countering disinformation; Role of Assisted Technology in the Promotion of Education; Gender-Based Violence against Women and LGBTQI+ Persons in Nicaragua; and Education in Afghanistan. The United States also co-sponsored multiple side events focused on Russia’s war against Ukraine and related human rights impacts and accountability efforts.
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U.S STATE DEPT ANNOUNCES COLIN POWELL LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
The Colin Powell Leadership Program will provide paid fellowships to recent college graduates and paid internships to students who are enrolled at accredited institutions of higher education.
Africa-Related New York
“diversity is a source of strength, it is a source of our success”
Photo: U.S State Dept website
In support of the Secretary’s modernization agenda, the U.S. Department of States announced the new Colin Powell Leadership Program to further advance the Department’s commitment and efforts to hire a workforce representative of all segments of society. The program will provide individuals the opportunity to pursue careers at the Department of State.
Colin Powell understood that diversity “is a source of strength, it is a source of our success,” and exemplified his leadership values—both as a general and as Secretary of State — by putting people first. The Colin Powell Leadership Program recruits highly motivated candidates from a variety of backgrounds who aspire to and possess the potential to become future civil service leaders at the U.S. Department of State.
This program will provide paid fellowships to recent college graduates and paid internships to students who are enrolled at accredited institutions of higher education. Both paths may lead to full-time employment opportunities at the Department and are focused on developing future leaders through training, mentoring, and on-the-job experience to provide them with the skills, tools, and resources needed for long-term success at the Department.
Internship opportunities will be in the Social Science Student Trainee (0199) and Administration and Office Support Student Trainee (0399) series. Fellowship opportunities will be in the Foreign Affairs (0130) and Management Analysis (0343) series. Applicants will apply via USAJobs and the first vacancy announcement is tentatively scheduled for mid to late September 2022. Subsequent announcements will be held annually in the spring. All applicants must be U.S. citizens and able to obtain and retain a secret or top-secret clearance. All positions will be located in the Washington, D.C. area.
To be eligible for the Colin Powell Leadership Internship Program, applicants must either be an enrolled or current student, on a part-time or full-time basis, pursuing their bachelor’s degree in a qualifying post-secondary educational program. A cumulative GPA of at least 3.2 out of 4.0 is required. The duration of the internship program will be determined by the participant’s anticipated graduation date and may not exceed four years from the initial appointment to the program.
Applicants for the Colin Powell Leadership Fellowship Program must have received a baccalaureate or graduate degree within the last two years with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.2 out of 4.0. The fellowship program is a one-year paid developmental program.
For more information about this opportunity, please visit here
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US VISAS: State Department Gives Post-Pandemic Update
The US State Department briefed journalists on recent measures taken to combat post-pandemic visa backlog at consular posts overseas. Some of the measures include the global visa approach, whereby applicants can apply for U.S visas anywhere in the world.
By Oyiza Adaba | Africa-Related New York
“Applicants can apply anywhere in the world where there’s an appointment available.”
The Deputy Assistant Secretary for Visa Services, Julie Stufft provided an update to members of the foreign press on the current status of visa processing and services at the U.S Consular sections overseas. The pandemic, no doubt impacted the world’s travel
“Right now the wait time for routine visa appointments at half of our overseas posts is less than four months and at some posts is actually far, far shorter than that.
- Julie Stufft, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Visa Services -
She however stressed that the State department is viewing the visa workload globally, and that Consular posts worldwide are experiencing a faster recovery than initially expected. She highlighted some of the measures taken to meet visa demands and reduce the backlog. They include:
Waiving in-person interviews;
Upgraded Staffing and ‘doubled consular hiring’;
Remote/Virtual Adjudication processes leading to more visa adjudications ‘this year than in the past six years’;
Expedited visa appointment for business travel, urgent humanitarian or medical travel;
Increased number of visas to Temporary Workers (including agricultural workers) and Student categories;
Global Visa approach where applicants can apply in any U.S consulate, and not necessarily in their country of origin.
“… if an applicant is in a country with a long wait time, that applicant go to another post… and this has really been successful for thousands of visa applicants this year.
- Julie Stufft, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Visa Services -
What has been your post-pandemic experience at the U.S Consulate in your country?
See transcript here