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Trump urged to review UN immunity, lax visa rules amid national security concerns
A 1947 agreement outlining obligations as host of the United Nations continues to give employees and their family members relatively unfettered access to the U.S.
At a time of increased national security fears and immigration enforcement by the Trump administration, experts are urging a re-examination of the host nation agreement with an eye to the functional immunity granted to U.N. staff and the limited vetting given to those with U.N. visas.
«The United States appears to have taken a relaxed view of the individuals entering the country associated with the U.N., either as employees or as representatives of various country missions. And yet we know that U.N. employees have had, and continue to have, close, direct relationships with terrorist organizations, like UNRWA and Hamas,» Anne Bayefsky, director of the Touro Institute on Human Rights and the Holocaust and president of Human Rights Voices, told Fox News Digital.
UN WATCHDOG PROJECT CALLS ON DOGE CAUCUS TO ‘AUDIT’ THE INTERNATIONAL ORG
Sergey Lavrov, Russia’s minister for foreign affairs, talks with Vassily Nebenzia, Russia’s U.N. ambassador, during a meeting of the U.N. Security Council, April 24, 2023. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
Bayefsky said there is «a disconnect between the welcome routine and the significant harm to American interests. Hosting the U.N. does not require the host country to facilitate or endure threats to its national security.»
The federal government grants G visas to employees, spouses and children of international organizations, including the U.N., who reside in, or are visiting, the U.S. According to the State Department’s website, «if you are entitled to a G visa, under U.S. visa law, you must receive a G visa. The exceptions to this rule are extremely limited.» The Department of State also explains that «Embassies and consulates generally do not require an interview for those applying for G-1 – 4 and NATO-1 – 6 visas, although a consular officer can request an interview.»
Hugh Dugan, a senior advisor to 11 U.S. former ambassadors to the U.N., told Fox News Digital that it «appears to me that the issuance of the G visas for [U.N. employees] is a relatively rubber stamp exercise.» While not requiring interviews of personnel has «become a matter of convenience, frankly, we should always be able to assess a threat to our country.»’
Dugan, a former National Security Council special assistant to the president and senior director for international organization affairs, said nations like Russia and China are only allowed to travel a certain distance from U.N. headquarters. «We are mindful of our adversaries’ activities and presence here, but the door is open to participate in the U.N. and the host country agreement makes that possible so that no country would be barred because of a certain political atmosphere or issue that might be brewing between us and them.»
Former Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi displays the photo of Gen. Kasim Soleimani at the United Nations. (Peter Aitken for Fox News Digital)
Fox News Digital asked the State Department whether it requires interviews for staff from adversarial member states, including Cuba, Venezuela, Russia, North Korea, Iran and China, but received no response. A State Department spokesperson reiterated that consular officers «have full authority to require an in-person interview for any reason.»
Peter Gallo, formerly an investigator with the U.N. Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), told Fox News Digital that he is particularly concerned about the functional immunity granted to U.N. staff participating in activities related to their employment. Gallo explained that «U.S. legal system has come to accept that pretty much it’s a blanket coverage.» He added that «immunity breeds impunity.»
REPUBLICANS SEEK TO BLOCK THE REAPPOINTMENT OF UN OFFICIAL ACCUSED OF ANTISEMITISM
Gallo claimed that there is an epidemic of sexual offenses and misconduct among U.N. staff. He cited an incident in which a U.N. employee outside the U.S. sexually harassed «a young female in his department.» Gallo said it took two years after receipt of the investigation report for an investigation to be completed, which resulted in the demotion of the offending employee. Gallo said the employee who was harassed, and her harasser remained in the same organization.
Gallo said that if employees take part in misconduct while based at U.N. headquarters, the U.S. government should be able to examine cases and determine whether staff should retain their G visas.
Dugan said that if U.N. personnel «knew that [immunity] could be lifted at any time by us… they might start behaving a lot differently.»
China’s Vice President Han Zheng addresses the 78th United Nations General Assembly in New York City on Sept. 21, 2023. (Ed Jones/AFP via Getty Images)
In response to questions about whether U.N. staff have been accused of sexual misconduct in the U.S., or whether U.N. staff who engaged in misconduct have had their G visas revoked, a State Department spokesperson explained the department «generally does not provide» revocation statistics. They also said that «all visa applicants, no matter the visa type and where they are located, are continuously vetted. Security vetting runs from the time of each application, through adjudication of the visa, and afterwards during the validity period of every issued visa, to ensure the individual remains eligible to travel to the United States.»
The spokesperson said officials of the U.N. «are expected to respect applicable laws of the United States, including criminal laws. Failure to do so may constitute an abuse of privileges of residence.» They added that this «applies for those who hold diplomatic immunity for their positions as well.»
Among staff who have raised internal alarm bells is U.N. special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories Francesca Albanese, who traveled to the U.S. in 2024 to deliver a report before the Third Committee of the General Assembly. Albanese, whose antisemitism has been condemned widely by senior U.S. diplomats and the State Department, was allowed to tour multiple U.S. college campuses while in the U.S.
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In addition to qualifying for «rubber stamp» G visas, staff of international organizations like the United Nations can qualify for green cards if they have spent half of at least seven years of employment inside the U.S., or have been in the U.S. for a combined total of 15 years prior to retirement.
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Democrats’ big misfire at State of the Union has GOP strategists salivating: ‘Huge moment’
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Republican political strategists are salivating over what they perceive as a misfire by the Democratic Party during President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address, arguing incidents of clear defiance and contempt for Trump’s message will be «huge» for the GOP in the upcoming midterm elections.
One of the most dramatic moments of Trump’s address on Tuesday night came when the president challenged every lawmaker in the chamber to stand if they believe their first duty is to protect American citizens rather than illegal immigrants.
«One of the great things about the State of the Union is how it gives Americans the chance to see clearly what their representatives really believe,» Trump said. «So tonight, I’m inviting every legislator to join with my administration in reaffirming a fundamental principle: if you agree with this statement, then stand up and show your support: The first duty of the American government is to protect American citizens, not illegal aliens.»
As Trump said this, Republicans stood while Democrats remained seated, prompting condemnation from the president. The White House called the moment a «must-watch.»
Reps. Ilhan Omar, left, and Rashida Tlaib shout at President Donald Trump as he delivers his State of the Union address on Feb. 24, 2026, in Washington, D.C. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Ryan James Girdusky, a GOP strategist with 1776 Project PAC, was quick to recognize the significance of the moment, writing on X, «A billion dollar ad just wrote itself because they wouldn’t stand.»
«Trump just orchestrated a great midterm ad, stand if you care about American citizens over illegal aliens and all the Democrats sat,» wrote Girdusky.
Tim Murtaugh, a former Trump senior advisor and campaign communications director, told Fox News Digital that «it was a huge moment because it forced the Democrats to self-identify as radicals who would rather defend illegal aliens over law-abiding American citizens.»
«There could be no clearer illustration that Democrats root against America when they’re not in power,» said Murtaugh, who runs Line Drive Public Affairs.
He accused Democrats of being «embarrassed to be Americans, whether they’re in power or not.»
«In their mind, good news for Americans is bad news for Democrats,» said Murtaugh. «They aren’t going to solve any problems — they’re only going to add to them — and the American people got to see them proclaim it themselves.»
«That moment will certainly be useful, and President Trump knows them so well he was able to make them do it,» he added.
OMAR SHOUTS ‘YOU ARE A MURDERER’ AND ‘LIAR’ AT TRUMP DURING STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS
President Donald Trump raises his fist during the State of the Union address, on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, at the U.S. Capitol. (Official White House Photo by Emily J. Higgins)
Lora Ries, director of the Border Security and Immigration Center at The Heritage Foundation, told Fox News Digital that congressional Democrats «clearly showed America they believe their number one duty is to protect illegal aliens, not American citizens.»
«Hopefully, that opened many more eyes to see that Democrats, to hang onto power, rely on illegal aliens (and other noncitizens) to illegally vote, have their ballots harvested, and for their headcount in the U.S. Census to maintain their congressional districts and the number of presidential electoral votes in their states,» said Ries, adding, «This is why Democrats refuse to vote for proof of citizenship during voter registration or proof of ID when voting.»
She advocated for passage of the Save America Act, which she said, «Would make these changes, which are critically needed to bring integrity to, and confidence in, our federal elections.» The Save Act, officially the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, has passed the House but faces an uncertain path in the Senate.
While Republicans have predicted that the Democrats’ sitting moment will loom large in the midterm elections, not all see it that way. Former President Barack Obama speechwriter and Democratic strategist Jon Favreau mocked Republicans for calling attention to the moment, posting on X that «It’s genuinely so funny how hard they’re trying to make this a thing.»
DEMS TAP ICE DETAINEES, SUSPECTED ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS AS GUESTS FOR TRUMP’S SPEECH: DHS
President Donald J. Trump delivers the first State of the Union address of his second term to a joint session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. (Kenny Holston /Pool via Reuters)
Courtney Rice, Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee communications director, told Fox News Digital, «House Democrats have been clear that we need to secure the border and reform the broken immigration system, both of which can be done without shooting American citizens on their own streets and terrorizing communities.»
Rice said, «Republicans’ overreach in enacting their immigration enforcement has turned voters against them,» which she said is reflected in polling.
«Trump continues to downplay and mock voters’ concerns over how expensive everything is – and Republicans refuse to say or do anything to the contrary,» she said, adding, «Their cruelty and refusal to listen to voters’ concerns will be why they lose in November.»
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Meanwhile, Stephen Miller, deputy chief of staff for policy and Homeland Security advisor, said the moment in which Democrats refused to stand sent «chills to the bone» and said it «will live for a thousand years.»
«Democrats declared to the world their searing disdain for, and profound disloyalty to, the actual citizens of the United States. They were repeatedly entreated to stand. Over and over. They refused,» said Miller.
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donald trump,elections,midterm elections,congress,state of the union,democratic party,immigration
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Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Tuesday her government is weighing legal action against Elon Musk after the billionaire accused her, without evidence, of having ties to drug cartels after the killing of a major cartel leader.
Musk made the allegation in a post on X responding to a resurfaced 2025 video in which Sheinbaum discussed cartel violence and rejected a return to a militarized crackdown.
«Returning to the war against the narco is not an option. First, because it is outside the framework of the law,» she said in the clip.
The video was shared by an X user who asked, «She’s a cartel plant right?»
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum says her government is reviewing legal action after Elon Musk accused her of cartel ties following the killing of El Mencho. (Francis Chung/Politico/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
«She’s just saying what her cartel bosses tell her to say,» Musk replied. «Let’s just say that their punishment for disobedience is a little worse than ‘a performance improvement plan.’»
Sheinbaum responded to the comments during her daily morning press conference, saying her government was evaluating its options.
«We are considering whether to take legal action,» she said, adding that government lawyers were reviewing the matter.
WHO IS EL MENCHO? INSIDE THE RISE OF CJNG’S FALLEN KINGPIN AND THE CARTEL HE BUILT
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum says her government is reviewing legal action after Elon Musk accused her of cartel ties after the killing of El Mencho. (Raquel Cunha/Reuters)
Musk’s post came after Mexican security forces captured and killed Nemesio Oseguera, known as «El Mencho,» the longtime leader of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel, in an operation that triggered roadblocks and arson attacks in parts of the country.
A military offensive against cartels launched in 2006 by former President Felipe Calderón led to bloody turf battles as gangs splintered, fueling a spiral of violence that analysts say contributed to Mexico’s persistently high homicide rates.
Asked whether the operation against Oseguera signaled a shift toward a more aggressive security posture, Sheinbaum rejected that notion.
SEN MULLIN URGES SPRING BREAKERS TO CANCEL TRIPS TO MEXICO AMID COUNTRY’S VIOLENCE: ‘NO ONE SHOULD BE GOING’
A member of the Prosecutor’s Office stands guard near a burning bus on a main avenue after it was set on fire by organized crime groups in Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico, Feb. 22. (Ulises Ruiz/AFP via Getty Images)
«The detention of a suspected criminal with an arrest warrant can generate this type of circumstance, but we are looking for peace, not war,» she said.
Ruling Morena party President Luisa Alcalde also criticized Musk’s remarks, urging him to use his platform to address drug consumption, addiction, disinformation and the promotion of narco culture.
«Wealth does not give moral authority,» she said. «The lives that are lost in this fight, often fueled by consumption in other countries, are worth infinitely more than any fortune amassed in Silicon Valley.»
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More than 130,000 people are listed as missing in Mexico, where much of the violence is linked to drug cartels that sell narcotics to the U.S. and obtain guns from across the border.
Reuters contributed to this report.
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