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On March 24, the Department of State updated the processing times for U.S. passport applications. Routine processing will take 10-13 weeks and expedited processing, which costs an additional $60, will take 7-9 weeks.  These new processing times only apply to new applications submitted on or after March 24.  Processing time begins the day we receive […]

I welcome today’s release of Paul Rusesabagina by the Government of Rwanda. It is a relief to know that Paul is rejoining his family, and the U.S. Government is grateful to the Rwandan Government for making this reunion possible. We also thank the Government of Qatar for their valuable assistance that will enable Paul’s return […]

On behalf of the Government and people of the United States of America, I congratulate the people of Greece and Greeks around the world as you celebrate the 202nd anniversary of the founding of the Hellenic Republic. As I reflect on the previous year, I am proud to say that the partnership between the United […]

Today, we celebrate, along with Belarusians across the world, Belarus Freedom Day.  This day highlights the democratic legacy of the first independent Belarusian state, established in 1918 after 150 years of Russian occupation. Despite the Lukashenka regime’s complicity in Russia’s war against Ukraine, brave Belarusians continue to stand up for an independent, stable, and democratic […]

Yesterday President Biden transmitted to Congress new 10-year plans to implement the U.S. Strategy to Prevent Conflict and Promote Stability with our priority partner countries and region.  The plans represent an important step in advancing efforts to bring stability to conflict-affected areas and are a move toward greater global peace.  They acknowledge that the most […]

On behalf of the United States of America, I would like to convey my warmest congratulations to the people of Bangladesh on your Independence Day. As you celebrate your 53rd Independence Day, Bangladesh has many reasons to be proud. With a rapidly growing economy, an increasingly well-educated workforce, and a dynamic youth demographic, Bangladesh is […]

Special Presidential Advisor (SPA) for the Americas Christopher J. Dodd will travel to Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic, on March 24-25 to attend the 28th Ibero-American Summit of Heads of State and Government.  SPA Dodd is attending the summit at the invitation of Dominican President Luis Abinader, whose government is hosting the event.  In Santo Domingo, […]

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken will participate in the second Summit for Democracy on March 28-30, 2023 in Washington, D.C. The Summit will be co-hosted by the United States, Costa Rica, the Netherlands, Republic of Korea, and Republic of Zambia. Below is a list of events Secretary Blinken will participate in as well as the corresponding […]

The United States continues to promote accountability for the Burmese military regime’s assault on the democratic aspirations of the people of Burma.  Today we are designating two individuals and six entities.  The regime continues to inflict pain and suffering on the people of Burma. The U.S. Department of the Treasury is imposing sanctions on Tun […]

The United States continues to promote accountability for the Lukashenka regime’s violence surrounding the fraudulent August 2020 presidential election in Belarus, its ongoing brutal crackdown against the pro-democracy movement and other elements of Belarusian society, its flagrant human rights abuses, and its facilitation of the Russian Federation’s illegal war against Ukraine. Specifically, the U.S. Department […]