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Office of Security

Was this page helpful, foreign access management.

Acknowledging their important contributions towards U.S. scientific, research, and other mission objectives, the Department offers foreign national visitors and guests access to its facilities, resources, and activities to facilitate a broad range of collaborative activities. This access, however, must be balanced with the need to protect critical or otherwise controlled government information.

The Department employs foreign access management concepts to meet its obligation to safeguard critical information from loss or compromise. Effective foreign access management is achieved through the uniform implementation of Department Administrative Order (DAO) 207-12:  Foreign Access Management Program .

To Whom Does DAO 207-12 Apply?

All foreign national visitors or guests granted physical or logical access to Department facilities, resources or activities, with a few exceptions:

• Lawful permanent residents or protected persons
• Foreign nationals employed by the Department who reside and work at Department facilities outside the United States
• Foreign national diplomats/senior government officials at the ambassadorial or vice-ministerial level or above who visit Department officials for the purpose of high-level policy dialogue as determined by OSY
• Foreign nationals who visit Departmental facilities during public events/activities or in areas that are associated with organized events predetermined to be open to the public

Visitor or Guest?

Foreign national visitors are those individuals accessing Department facilities, assets, activities, or resources for 14 or fewer calendar days in a consecutive 12-month period.

Foreign national guests are those individuals accessing Department facilities, assets, activities, or resources for 15 or more calendar days in a consecutive 12-month period.

Foreign National Visitors

For access coordination, sponsors of foreign national visitors are required to contact the Security Service Center (SSC) at least 24 hours prior to arrival.

Employer sponsors of foreign national visitors must complete the  Foreign National Visitor and Guest Departmental Sponsor Briefing   (Commerce personnel only) , sign the acknowledgement page at the end of the briefing, and email it to  [email protected] . Sponsors must also provide the personal information of their foreign national visitors by using the  Foreign National Request Form   (Commerce personnel only)  and sending it by email to  [email protected]  or delivering it by hand to the SSC. 

Process to Sponsor/Host a Foreign National Visitor

Department employees may sponsor or host a foreign national visitor by submitting the  Foreign National Request Form | OSY Form 207-12-A   (Commerce personnel only)  or an equivalent bureau or operating unit automated business application to their Field Service Security Office at least 24 hours in advance of the requested access.

Foreign national visitors shall be registered and under continuous escort or observation by their designated sponsor, host, or delegated escort when accessing Department facilities throughout the visit.

Process to Sponsor/Host a Foreign National Guest

Department employees who are U.S. citizens may sponsor or host a foreign national guest by submitting a properly completed Foreign National Request Forms | OSY Form 207-12-A and B   (Commerce personnel only) or equivalent bureau or operating unit automated business application to their senior bureau official and Field Service Support Office at least 30 calendar days in advance of the requested access.

The sponsor or host must:

• Complete the annual Foreign National Sponsor Training   (Commerce personnel only)  to maintain sponsor/host eligibility.
• Complete, sign, and submit Attachment 1 of DAO 207-12   (Commerce personnel only) to their senior bureau official for endorsement and forwarding to their Field Service Security Office for approval and record retention.
• Ensure Attachment 2 of DAO 207-12   (Commerce personnel only) is satisfactorily completed by the Foreign National Guest and forwarded to the Field Service Security Office within three days of guest arrival.

The Personal Identity Verification-Interoperable (PIV-I) credential is the alternative credential standard for issuance to Foreign National Guests granted physical or logical access to Department facilities, resources, or activities for greater than 179 cumulative days. 

Bureaus and operating units are responsible for the issuance of temporary facility access control badges to Foreign National Guests not meeting the physical or logical access requirements for PIV-I credential issuance. 

Departmental Sponsors

A Department employee who is a U.S. citizen designated in writing as accountable for the security oversight of all activities associated with the successful accomplishment of a specific foreign national visit or guest assignment.

A Departmental sponsor or host shall:

• Comply with all requirements for access approval and conduct, including providing timely, complete, and accurate information regarding the visit to the Field Servicing Security Office.
• Take all reasonable steps to ensure a Foreign National Visitor or Guest is given access only to information necessary for the successful completion of the defined visit.
• Prior to the arrival of a Foreign National Guest, ensure all personnel assigned within the applicable program or workspace are informed of the Guest’s role, duration of visit, scope of authorized physical and logical access, and procedures for reporting unauthorized or questionable activity.
• Take all reasonable steps to prevent physical, visual, and logical access to classified, controlled unclassified, proprietary, or not-for-public release data, information, technology or software by a foreign national visitor or guest. 
• Take all reasonable steps to ensure that a foreign national visitor or guest does not engage in unauthorized use of personal communication, photographic, recording, or other electronic devices in those areas of Departmental facilities where classified, controlled unclassified, proprietary, or not-for-public release data, information, technology, or software is present and generally ensure that such electronic devices are not used without explicit authorization.
• Immediately report suspicious activities or anomalies involving foreign national visitors or guests to the Field Service Security Office.
• Promptly notify the Field Service Security Office if there is a change to the arrival or departure date of a foreign national visitor or guest.

Senior Bureau Official

Bureaus shall formally designate in writing a senior technical or administrative official, and alternate(s).  Copies of the senior bureau official or designated official designations shall be provided to OSY when effective and/or upon request.

The senior bureau official or designated official, in conjunction with the bureau’s operating units, reviews requests for access submitted by Department sponsors to ensure these requests include a complete description of the proposed collaboration requiring foreign national guest access to Department facilities, staff, and information. The senior bureau official or designated official must consider whether the sponsoring office has documented that the value gained from the proposed collaborative effort is compatible with the need to protect classified, controlled unclassified, proprietary, not for-public release data, information, technology, source code, or software, and when appropriate, shall endorse the request as demonstrating that the proposed access provides a tangible benefit to the mission success of the bureau and is in the best interest of the Department.

Field Service Security Office

The Field Service Security Office is immediately responsible to OSY for the delivery of effective security services, guidance, and oversight consistent with this order in direct support of  their servicing bureau or operating unit .    

Contact your Field Service Security Office for any information or questions related to foreign access management policy, procedures, guidance or training.

Links and Forms

Department Administrative Order (DAO) 207-12:  Foreign Access Management Program

Implementation of Foreign National Request Form  memorandum from the director for security  

Foreign National Request Form  

Foreign National Visitor/Guest Departmental Sponsor Briefing  

Foreign National Processing Playbook  

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Statement from President Joe   Biden on Iran   Sanctions

Less than a week ago, Iran launched one of the largest missile and drone attacks the world has ever seen against Israel. Together with our allies and partners, the United States defended Israel. We helped defeat this attack. And today, we are holding Iran accountable—imposing new sanctions and export controls on Iran.   The sanctions target leaders and entities connected to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Iran’s Defense Ministry, and the Iranian government’s missile and drone program that enabled this brazen assault. As I discussed with my fellow G7 leaders the morning after the attack, we are committed to acting collectively to increase economic pressure on Iran. And our allies and partners have or will issue additional sanctions and measures to restrict Iran’s destabilizing military programs.   During my Administration, the United States has sanctioned over 600 individuals and entities—including Iran and its proxies, Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Kataib Hezbollah. And we will keep at it. I’ve directed my team, including the Department of the Treasury, to continue to impose sanctions that further degrade Iran’s military industries.   Let it be clear to all those who enable or support Iran’s attacks: The United States is committed to Israel’s security. We are committed to the security of our personnel and partners in the region. And we will not hesitate to take all necessary action to hold you accountable.

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United States vetoes Palestinian request for full UN membership as UK abstains from vote – video

The US vetoed a Palestinian request to the United Nations security council for full UN membership, blocking the world body’s recognition of a Palestinian state. US officials had been hoping Washington could avoid use of its veto if other states objected to a draft resolution before the council recommending the 'State of Palestine be admitted to membership of the United Nations'

UN demands end to Israeli forces’ support of settler attacks on West Bank Palestinians

Source: UNTV via Reuters

Fri 19 Apr 2024 02.16 BST Last modified on Fri 19 Apr 2024 09.44 BST

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Middle East latest: 14 Palestinians killed in West Bank, authorities say; Israel shocked by IDF sanctions report

Palestinian authorities say 14 have been killed in an extended Israeli raid in the occupied West Bank, with an ambulance driver reportedly shot dead in a separate incident. Meanwhile, Israeli politicians have warned the US against sanctioning an IDF unit over human rights violations.

Sunday 21 April 2024 10:43, UK

• Israel-Hamas war

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• At least 14 Palestinians killed in West Bank raid, authorities say
• IDF sanctions a 'dangerous precedent', senior Israeli politician warns
• 'Lasting peace process' discussed between Erdogan and Hamas chief
• US Congress approves aid package for Israel 
• Six children among nine killed in Israeli airstrike, hospital says
• Analysis: Iran isn't biggest threat to the coalition right now
• Live reporting by Narbeh Minassian

Earlier, we reported 13 Palestinians were killed in overnight airstrikes in Rafah, according to health officials (see our 9.45am post).

But that total now stands at 18, after hospital records showed 13 children and two women all from the same family have been killed in one of the strikes.

Initially, reports said eight children were killed. 

In another airstrike on the city overnight, a married couple and their three-year-old child were also killed, according to the nearby Kuwait Hospital.

We've been reporting on the fallout from the Met Police's handling of an antisemitism campaigner near a pro-Palestinian march.

The force apologised twice after an officer prevented Gideon Falter, chief executive of the Campaign Against Antisemitism, from crossing the road last weekend near the protest in London because he was "openly Jewish".

Both the CAA and former home secretary Suella Braverman have called for Met Police chief Sir Mark Rowley to resign or be sacked.

Now the Board of Deputies of British Jews has called for an urgent meeting with the Met Commissioner after "a series of high-profile errors".

Met Police sorry for incident

"The entirely avoidable mistakes have had a devastating effect on the previously high level of trust held by the UK's Jewish community in the police," the board said in a statement.

"We have written to the commissioner to ask for an urgent meeting to reinforce the gravity of the situation and to begin to repair this grievous loss of confidence."

The board also said many marchers may have "genuine concerns" regarding the "terrible situation" in Gaza, but others have amplified "hideous antisemitic conspiracy theories" and a number "clearly wish for the complete destruction of the world's only Jewish state".

Read the full story...

Nine children are among 13 Palestinians killed in the latest round of strikes on the southern Gazan city of Rafah, according to health officials.

The first strike, which happened overnight, killed a married couple and their three-year-old child, according to the Kuwait Hospital nearby, where the bodies were taken.

The woman was pregnant, the hospital said, but doctors managed to save the baby.

A second strike killed eight children and two women all from the same family, according to hospital records.

It comes just one day after nine people were killed in another airstrike on the city, including six children.

Israel has carried out near-daily air raids on Rafah, where more than half of Gaza's population of 2.3 million has taken refuge from fighting elsewhere in the enclave.

It has also vowed to expand its ground offensive to the city on the border with Egypt, despite international calls for restraint, including from the US.

The Israeli military says Hamas militants are holed up in Rafah.

Around 80% of the population in Gaza have fled their homes to other parts of the territory, which experts say is on the brink of famine.

A Palestinian has been killed after two tried to shoot and stab Israeli soldiers in the occupied West Bank this morning, according to the IDF.

While the IDF says both were "neutralised", Israel's Army Radio said one of the attackers was killed at a junction near the Palestinian city of Hebron.

"One of the terrorists attempted to stab IDF soldiers that were in the area, who responded with live fire and neutralised him," the military said.

"At the same time, the other terrorist opened fire at the soldiers, who responded with live fire and neutralised him too."

A cameraman for Reuters news agency saw a body at the scene of the incident, while Palestinian officials have not yet commented.

Thousands of Palestinians have been arrested and hundreds killed during regular operations in the West Bank by Israeli army and police since the start of the Gaza war on 7 October.

Most are members of armed groups, but stone-throwing youths and uninvolved civilians have also been targeted.

There are regular clashes and riots in the West Bank, aggravated by Israeli settlers both threatening and inflicting violence on Palestinians if they do not give up their land - which has been condemned by even the strongest international supporters of Israel, like the US.

One man has been "lightly injured" in a small explosion set off after he kicked a Palestinian flag in the West Bank, according to Israeli media.

Footage on social media shows a man approach a flag planted in what appears to be a small field on the side of a road.

As he kicks the flag to the ground, an explosion can be seen on the same spot.

The military has since confirmed the man is an IDF reservist on holiday. The force is looking for suspects.

According to reports, the man was injured near Kochav Hashahar by Route 458, in the south of the West Bank, on Sunday morning.

The Times of Israel reports emergency services treated the man at the scene for minor injuries and he declined to be taken to hospital.

Last night, a report from American news website  Axios  claimed the US is expected to announce sanctions within days on IDF battalion Netzah Yehuda for human rights violations in the occupied West Bank.  

Prime Minster Benjamin Netanyahu has already responded, warning it is "forbidden" to sanction the IDF.

His political rival and war cabinet minister Benny Gantz has echoed his remarks, warning sanctions would set a "dangerous precedent".

"I have great appreciation for our American friends, but the decision to impose sanctions on an IDF unit and its soldiers sets a dangerous precedent and conveys the wrong message to our shared enemies during war time," he said.

"I intend on acting to have this decision changed."

The Axios report adds it would be the first time the US has imposed sanctions on an Israeli military unit.

Israeli forces have killed 14 Palestinians during an extended raid in the occupied West Bank, according to Palestinian authorities, marking one of the heaviest casualty totals in the region for months.

The raid on the Nur Shams area, near the flashpoint city of Tulkarm, began early on Friday and continued yesterday.

Israeli military vehicles gathered and bursts of gunfire were heard, with at least three drones seen above Nur Shams, an area housing refugees and their descendants from the 1948 war that accompanied the creation of the state of Israel.

Palestinian health authorities said at least 14 Palestinians have been killed in the raid, two of whom were identified by officials as a gunman and a 16-year-old boy.

The Israeli military said a number of militants were killed or arrested during the raid, and at least four soldiers were wounded in exchanges of fire.

In a separate attack by Jewish settlers, the Palestinian health ministry says a 50-year-old ambulance driver was killed in Israeli gunfire near a village south of the city of Nablus, which is more than 20 miles east of Tulkarm.

He was said to be making his way to transport people injured in an attack on the village of al Sawiya, but it not clear if he was shot by settlers and the military has made no comment.

Welcome back to our coverage of the Israel-Hamas war.

Yesterday, the Palestinian health ministry reported an Israeli raid in the West Bank, which took place in the Nur Shams area of Tulkarm.

There was also a blast at an Iraqi military base in the city of Babylon, which is about 30 miles (50km) south of the capital Baghdad.

Here are some of the other key developments from the last 24 hours: 

• Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh met in Istanbul for talks; 
• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said it is "forbidden to impose sanctions on the Israel Defence Forces". The comments came after US sources told American news website Axios that Washington was expected to sanction the IDF;
• The US House of Representatives approved a $26bn package aiding Israel and providing humanitarian relief to people in Gaza;
• Mourners in Poland gathered for the funeral of Damian Sobol, one of the seven aid workers for the World Central Kitchen killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza earlier this month;
• President Mahmoud Abbas told WAFA news agency the Palestinian Authority will reconsider bilateral relations with the US after Washington vetoed a motion to make Palestine a full UN member.

We'll be back tomorrow with more updates on the Israel-Hamas war.

You can scroll back through today's coverage for the latest developments.

Earlier today people gathered near the remnants of an intercepted ballistic missile that fell near the Dead Sea in Israel.

The scenes come after Iran's drone and missile strike on Israel last week.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it was responding to an "attack on the consular section of the Iranian embassy in Damascus" on 1 April.

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Chinese foreign minister criticizes US role in Gaza talks during visit to Indonesia

The Chinese and Indonesian foreign ministers called for an immediate and lasting cease-fire in Gaza after a meeting in Jakarta Thursday. Indonesia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi told reporters that the two countries share the same view about the importance of a cease-fire and of resolving the conflict through a two-state solution. (AP Video/Andi Jatmiko)

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, right, walks with Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi during their bilateral meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia, Thursday, April 18, 2024. (Willy Kurniawan/Pool Photo via AP)

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Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi gestures as she speaks during a bilateral meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Jakarta, Indonesia, Thursday, April 18, 2024. The Chinese and Indonesian foreign ministers called for an immediate and lasting cease-fire in Gaza after a meeting in Jakarta on Thursday, condemning the humanitarian costs of the ongoing war that has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians. (Yasuyoshi Chiba/Pool Photo via AP)

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi gestures as he speaks during his bilateral meeting with Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi in Jakarta, Indonesia, Thursday, April 18, 2024. (Yasuyoshi Chiba/Pool Photo via AP)

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, second right, speaks during a bilateral meeting with Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, bottom second left, in Jakarta, Indonesia, Thursday, April 18, 2024. (Willy Kurniawan/Pool Photo via AP)

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, left, speaks during their bilateral meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, right, in Jakarta, Indonesia, Thursday, April 18, 2024. (Yasuyoshi Chiba/Pool Photo via AP)

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, right, shakes hands with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during their bilateral meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia, Thursday, April 18, 2024. (Yasuyoshi Chiba/Pool Photo via AP)

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrives for a bilateral meeting with Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi in Jakarta, Indonesia, Thursday, April 18, 2024. (Willy Kurniawan/Pool Photo via AP)

In this photo provided by the Indonesian Presidential Palace, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi , left, shakes hands with Indonesia President Joko Widodo during a meeting at the palace in Jakarta, Indonesia, Thursday, April 18, 2024. The Chinese and Indonesian foreign ministers called for an immediate and lasting cease-fire in Gaza after a meeting in Jakarta on Thursday, condemning the humanitarian costs of Israel’s ongoing war against Hamas. (Vico/Indonesian Presidential Palace via AP)

In this photo provided by the Indonesian Presidential Palace, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, left, talks with Indonesia President Joko Widodo during a meeting at the palace in Jakarta, Indonesia, Thursday, April 18, 2024. The Chinese and Indonesian foreign ministers called for an immediate and lasting cease-fire in Gaza after a meeting in Jakarta on Thursday, condemning the humanitarian costs of Israel’s ongoing war against Hamas. (Vico/Indonesian Presidential Palace via AP)

Indonesian President-elect and current Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto, left, stands next to Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi as Wang signs a guest book in Jakarta, Indonesia, Thursday, April 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim/Pool)

Indonesian President-elect and current Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto, left, greets Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Jakarta, Indonesia, Thursday, April 18, 2024. The Chinese and Indonesian foreign ministers called for an immediate and lasting cease-fire in Gaza after a meeting in Jakarta on Thursday, condemning the humanitarian costs of the ongoing war that has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi attacked the United States for earlier blocking United Nations resolutions calling for a cease-fire in Gaza after a meeting with his counterpart in Indonesia.

The Chinese and Indonesian foreign ministers reiterated their countries’ calls for an immediate and lasting cease-fire in Gaza after a meeting in Jakarta on Thursday, condemning the humanitarian costs of Israel’s ongoing war against Hamas.

The U.S., together with Egypt and Qatar, brokered a brief cease-fire earlier in the war that included some swaps of hostages taken by Hamas and other militant groups in return for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, and has sought to bring about a new deal.

But the U.S. vetoed a number of proposed U.N. Security Council cease-fire resolutions because they didn’t tie the calls directly to the release of Israel hostages or condemn Hamas’ attack that prompted the war before allowing a resolution to a pass with an abstention in late March.

The meeting took place on the second day of a six-day tour during which Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will also visit Papua New Guinea and Cambodia.

Indonesia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi told reporters that the two countries share the same view about the importance of a cease-fire and of resolving the Palestinian problem through a two-state solution.

Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country, has long been a strong supporter of the Palestinians and does not recognize Israel.

“I am sure that China would use its influence to prevent escalation,” Marsudi said, adding that China and Indonesia “would also fully support Palestine’s membership in the U.N.”

Wang blamed the United States for holding up cease-fire resolutions at the U.N.

“The conflict in Gaza has lasted for half a year and caused a rare humanitarian tragedy in the 21st century. The United Nations Security Council responded to the call of the international community and continued to review the resolution draft on the cease-fire in Gaza, but it was repeatedly vetoed by the United States,” Wang told reporters.

American officials have argued that the cease-fire and hostage releases are linked, while Russia, China and many other council members favored unconditional calls for a cease-fire. China and Russia also vetoed one U.S.-backed cease-fire resolution , saying it was not strong enough.

Referring to the resolution that was approved by the Security Council in March, Wang said: “This time, the U.S. did not dare to stand in opposition to international morality and chose to abstain. However, the U.S. claimed that this resolution was not binding,” Wang said. “In the eyes of the United States, international law seems to be a tool that can be used whenever it finds useful and discarded if it does not want to use it.”

The two ministers also discussed their countries’ economic relationship and the South China Sea .

China is Indonesia’s largest trading partner, with the trade volume reaching more than $127 billion. China is also one of Indonesia’s largest foreign investors, with investment flows of more than $7.4 billion in 2023.

Later Thursday, Wang also met Indonesian President Joko Widodo and president-elect Prabowo Subianto , who is currently defense minister.