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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.
INTERNACIONAL
Ataque con bolas de nieve a policías en Nueva York: el alcalde Mamdani quedó en el centro de la polémica
Un episodio insólito episodio dejó al alcalde de Nueva York, Zohran Mamdani, en la mira de la oposición. El lunes por la tarde, varios policías fueron atacados con bolas de nieve y hasta bloques de hielo en Washington Square Park. El hecho, que comenzó como una pelea organizada para aprovechar la histórica nevada, terminó en escándalo y desató una ola de indignación política.
Según informó la Policía de Nueva York (NYPD), los agentes llegaron al parque poco después de las 16 (hora local) para intervenir ante una multitud que generaba disturbios. Apenas llegaron, fueron recibidos con una lluvia de bolas de nieve, y algunos oficiales sufrieron impactos directos en la cara.
Leé también: Tormenta de nieve en Nueva York: suspendieron las clases y el transporte por las alertas meteorológicas
La situación se descontroló cuando un manifestante arrojó un bloque de hielo sobre la cabeza de un agente, lo que obligó a los policías a retirarse del lugar. Servicios de emergencias médicas (EMS) trasladaron a varios oficiales al hospital, donde permanecieron en condición estable. Hasta el momento, no hubo arrestos y la investigación sigue en curso. Varios policías fueron trasladados tras los ataques con bolas de nieve. (Foto: captura de video/X)
La comisionada de la NYPD, Jessica Tisch, fue tajante en redes sociales: “El comportamiento que se observa es vergonzoso y es criminal. Nuestros detectives están investigando este asunto”.
El presidente del sindicato policial, la Police Benevolent Association, calificó el hecho como “inaceptable e indignante” y reclamó que los responsables “deben ser identificados, arrestados y acusados de agresión contra un oficial de policía”. Desde la Detectives’ Endowment Association, Scott Munro fue más allá: “No fue una diversión inofensiva; fue un ataque deliberado, indignante y peligroso contra policías uniformados”.
El alcalde Mamdani, en la mira: críticas y acusaciones cruzadas
Horas después del incidente, Zohran Mamdani pidió “respeto” para los oficiales a través de X. “He visto los videos de chicos que les lanzan bolas de nieve a los oficiales en Washington Square Park. Los oficiales, al igual que el resto de los trabajadores de la ciudad, han permanecido en las calles durante una tormenta histórica para garantizar la seguridad de los neoyorquinos y del tráfico. Trátenlos con respeto. Si alguien tiene que recibir una bola de nieve, que sea yo”, escribió.
Sin embargo, este mensaje no calmó los ánimos y fue interpretado como una respuesta tibia. El exalcalde de Nueva York calificó el episodio como «vergonzoso». (Foto: X @andrewcuomo)
Ante esta situación, el exgobernador Andrew Cuomo y el exalcalde Eric Adams salieron al cruce y responsabilizaron a Mamdani por “marcar el tono” con su retórica crítica hacia la Policía. “Esto es vergonzoso”, escribió Cuomo, recordando que el alcalde “llamó a la Policía ‘racista, malvada, perversa y corrupta’”. Y advirtió: “Las palabras tienen consecuencias. Estamos viendo eso en el creciente irrespeto hacia las fuerzas del orden”.
Adams, por su parte, sostuvo que ver “a oficiales siendo bombardeados con bolas de nieve mientras están bajo un clima brutal protegiendo a la ciudad debería enfurecer a todos los neoyorquinos”. Y apuntó: “Los políticos que constantemente atacan a la policía y se niegan a respaldarla están dando un ejemplo terrible. El liderazgo importa. El tono importa”.
Leé también: Por una fuerte tormenta de nieve, el alcalde de Nueva York decretó el toque de queda hasta este lunes
La congresista Nicole Malliotakis también exigió condenas y pidió que los responsables “rindan cuentas”.
El incidente reavivó el debate sobre el respeto a la autoridad y el rol de la policía en Nueva York, en un contexto de fuertes tensiones políticas. Los sindicatos policiales y la oposición reclaman medidas ejemplares y acusan al alcalde de fomentar un clima adverso para las fuerzas de seguridad.
Mientras tanto, la NYPD continúa investigando y no descarta arrestos en las próximas horas. El episodio dejó en evidencia la fragilidad del clima social en la ciudad y puso en jaque el liderazgo de Mamdani, que enfrenta una presión creciente para tomar decisiones firmes.
Nueva York, Policía, alcalde, tormenta de nieve, TNS
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DHS touts ‘most secure border’ in US history amid departure of nearly 3M illegal immigrants
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The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Tuesday touted «historic progress» under President Donald Trump and Secretary Kristi Noem, highlighting nearly 3 million illegal immigrants who have left the United States and what officials call «the most secure border in American history.»
The statement, released as Trump delivered his first State of the Union address since returning to office, credited the administration’s policies with producing record-low border crossings, expanded immigration enforcement and billions in taxpayer savings, while criticizing congressional Democrats for shutting down DHS funding.
«Over the last 13 months, nearly 3 million illegal aliens have left the U.S. because of the Trump Administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration, including an estimated 2.2 million self-deportations and more than 713,000 deportations,» Noem said in a statement.
Noem added that total border apprehensions under the Trump administration «were lower than a single month» under the Biden administration, and DHS has saved taxpayers more than $13.2 billion.
President Donald Trump gestures as he speaks during his 2025 State of the Union speech. (Mandel Ngan/Pool via Reuters)
«Countless lives have been saved, communities have been strengthened, and the American people have been put first again,» Noem stated.
DHS said Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested and removed more than 1,500 known or suspected terrorists over the past year.
Nationwide immigration operations also led to nearly 8,000 gang-related arrests, including members associated with Tren de Aragua and MS-13, the department said. DHS added that it launched a new web page, «Worst of the Worst,» tracking criminal illegal immigrants arrested during federal enforcement operations under the administration.
NOEM TOUTS TSA SUCCESS AFTER THOUSANDS WITH TERROR LINKS BARRED FROM FLIGHTS AT MAJOR US AIRPORT
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said nearly 3 million illegal immigrants have left the U.S. over the past 13 months under the Trump administration. (Luke Johnson/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
The department also reported an increase in drug seizures by Customs and Border Protection compared to the prior 12-month period, including 617,648 pounds of illicit drugs nationwide over the past year — an 8% increase over the previous year.
The Coast Guard separately seized roughly 550,000 pounds of illegal narcotics worth more than $3.9 billion through counter-drug operations and prevented more than 206 million lethal doses from reaching U.S. communities, DHS said.
DHS said it and the Department of Health and Human Services have located 145,000 unaccompanied children lost under the Biden administration.
«Too many of these children were exploited and abused before, during, and after being trafficked over our borders,» DHS said.
TRUMP’S OPERATION METRO SURGE LOCATED 3,000 MISSING MIGRANT CHILDREN IN MINNEAPOLIS, EMMER SAYS
DHS says border crossings have reached record lows under President Trump’s second term. (Kevin Carter/Getty Images)
The department echoed comments made by Trump during his address, blaming Democrats for the partial government shutdown after Senate Democrats again blocked Republicans’ attempt to fund the department before the prime-time speech.
«Despite our historic successes, Democrat Politicians on Capitol Hill have shut down DHS, depriving many of our brave men and women who protect our national security of their paychecks—putting the livelihood of them and their families in jeopardy,» DHS said.
During his remarks, Trump criticized Democrats for failing to reach a funding deal.
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«As we speak, Democrats in this chamber have cut off all funding for the Department of Homeland Security. It’s all cut off, all cut off. They have instituted another Democrat shutdown, the first one costing us two points on GDP, two points we lost on GDP, which probably made them quite happy actually,» Trump said during his speech. «They have closed the agency responsible for protecting Americans from terrorists and murderers.»
Trump said he was «demanding» a full and immediate restoration of funding for the department and efforts to protect the border.
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Sen Mullin urges spring breakers to cancel trips to Mexico amid country’s violence: ‘No one should be going’
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Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., on Tuesday urged spring breakers with plans to visit Mexico to cancel their trips due to violent clashes in the country triggered by the Mexican army’s killing of cartel leader Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as «El Mencho,» earlier this week.
Mullin made the comments during an appearance on CNBC’s «Squawk Box,» in which he said his chiropractor was still planning to visit a popular tourist destination in Mexico.
«Anybody that’s planning on going to Mexico for spring break … I mean, my chiropractor called me yesterday and said he’s still planning on going to Cancún, I said, ‘Are you crazy?’» Mullin said.
«No one should be going down there right now, it is very volatile and the United States is laser-focused on watching what’s taking place,» he continued.
Sen. Markwayne Mullin urged spring breakers with plans to visit Mexico to cancel their trips. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
The senator’s comments come after Mexican troops conducted operations on Sunday in Tapalpa, Jalisco, targeting El Mencho, a former police officer who became the leader of the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación, which U.S. authorities have identified as a major supplier of fentanyl to the United States.
El Mencho carried a $15 million U.S. bounty and rose to power following the arrest of Joaquín «El Chapo» Guzmán, the former head of the Sinaloa Cartel. Over roughly the past 15 years, the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación has expanded from a regional criminal group into a global trafficking organization operating from its stronghold in Jalisco.
The Mexican Defense Department said the operation was conducted as part of bilateral coordination and cooperation with the U.S., and that U.S. authorities provided complementary intelligence that contributed to El Mencho’s killing.
After El Mencho’s death, cartel members burned cars and blocked roads in several Mexican states. Violent clashes were also reported in parts of western Mexico.
Mexican authorities later said that the security situation had been «stabilized.»
Vehicles drive past a burning bus used as a roadblock by organized crime following a federal operation in which a government source said Mexican drug lord El Mencho was killed, in Zapopan, Mexico. (Gabriel Trujillo/Reuters)
«The security situation has now stabilized following targeted operations in Jalisco,» the Mexican Embassy in the U.S. said on Tuesday.
«Federal and State authorities are proceeding to reopen transit corridors and restore public services smoothly,» the embassy continued. «Airline operations are normal, and international carriers are resuming flights today. Puerto Vallarta International Airport has reopened to domestic traffic.»
The embassy added: «If traveling through Jalisco, some local security measures remain in place, while authorities are restoring airport operations to full capacity. We are working with international partners to ensure safety and stability at all transit hubs and tourist destinations.»
But the U.S. State Department’s travel advisory for Mexico remains in effect. The U.S. government earlier issued a shelter-in-place order for Americans in Mexico, but that order has since been lifted.
STATE DEPT SLAMMED WITH HUNDREDS OF CALLS FROM AMERICANS TRAPPED IN MEXICO
A soldier stands guard by a charred vehicle after it was set on fire, in Cointzio, Michoacán state, Mexico. (AP Photo/Armando Solis)
The Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación is considered the most powerful cartel in Mexico with an estimated 19,000 members and operations across 21 of the country’s 32 states.
The Trump administration designated the cartel as a foreign terrorist organization.
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Mullin said on Tuesday that cartels splitting after Mexico’s operation is a «great opportunity for us, and Mexico, to take them all out.»
«Now, are we going to eliminate all the drug trafficking in the world? Absolutely not. But can we get a handle on it again? Absolutely,» he added.
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location mexico,world,mexican cartel violence,politics,travel
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