INTERNACIONAL
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.
Trump national security adviser Mike Waltz reiterated the administration’s support for Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on Sunday, saying they «couldn’t be prouder» of his early months in the role, despite a wave of high-profile controversies and resignations that have embroiled the department in recent weeks.
Speaking to Fox News host Maria Bartiromo on Sunday, Waltz was pressed about the alleged dysfunction inside the Pentagon’s top ranks— and whether, in his view, the current Pentagon is equipped to deliver on lofty foreign policy goals, including helping broker a negotiated settlement in Russia’s war in Ukraine.
«Can you do this in what appears to be a chaotic, weakened Defense Department?» Bartiromo asked Waltz on «Sunday Morning Futures,» citing reports of chaos and dysfunction, including recent firings of Hegseth’s top aides, and reports he has been threatening polygraph tests for some staffers at the department.
«I’ll tell you about a weakened Pentagon,» Waltz fired back. «That was one that had a Defense Secretary that disappeared for two weeks just last year, and nobody knew about it.»
DEFENSE SECRETARY PETE HEGSETH REBUFFS NEW GROUP CHAT ALLEGATIONS AS ATTEMPT TO ‘SABOTAGE’ TRUMP’S AGENDA
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is seen at Guantanamo Bay earlier this year. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. ShaTyra Cox)
In contrast to his predecessor, Waltz said Hegseth is «leading from the front» at the Defense Department, and praised what he described as Hegseth’s early efforts to reform the Pentagon.
«He is leading the charge, and he has no tolerance for leaking,» Waltz said, dismissing the alleged chaos or dysfunction as a «media narrative,» and one he vowed they «are going to power through.»
Waltz also brushed off a question about the departures of senior aides, including Hegseth’s own chief of staff, Joe Kasper, last week.
The exodus of senior officials and other allegations of chaos from inside the Pentagon have prompted some Democrats to call for an investigation into his leadership.
But Waltz also brushed off these characterizations of dysfunction on Sunday. Asked by Bartiromo how he was going to replace the fired Pentagon officials, Waltz said in response: «Maria, there’s 20,000 people in the Pentagon.»
«There is a record number of generals,» he said. «And the other piece— there is accountability. We have had several general officers that weren’t getting the job done, and admirals get fired and get replaced… That’s what the Pentagon needs.»
Waltz argued that that is a stark contrast to the longtime culture at the Pentagon, where he said «no one ever gets fired, [and] there’s never a sense of accountability.»
«And now there is,» he told Bartiromo.
«Whether it’s leaks, or not getting the job done, or failures in terms of procurement acquisition, now you have a leader that’s in charge,» Waltz said. «And I couldn’t be prouder of Pete Hegseth.»
HEGSETH SHARED DETAILS OF YEMEN STRIKES IN SECOND SIGNAL CHAT: REPORT
Pete Hegseth, left, President-elect Donald Trump’s choice to be Defense secretary, shakes hands with Chairman Roger Wicker, R-Miss. after his Senate Armed Services Committee for his confirmation hearing. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Waltz’s remarks come as Hegseth’s role has come under mounting scrutiny in recent weeks — both for his participation in at least one Signal group chat in March where he discussed a planned military strike against the Houthis, and the firing of several senior staffers earlier this month.
Hegseth earlier this month fired three top aides: including his aide, Dan Caldwell, his deputy chief of staff Darin Selnick, and the chief of staff to the deputy defense secretary, Colin Carroll.
These oustings were described as both «baffling» and alarming by John Ullyot, a former Pentagon communications official who resigned earlier this year.
«The dysfunction is now a major distraction for the president — who deserves better from his senior leadership,» Ullyot wrote in an op-ed for Politico.
The White House, however, has sought to emphasize its support for Hegseth in recent days, with both Vice President JD Vance and White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt vehemently dismissing reports that the administration could be considering a possible replacement.
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«Let me reiterate: The president stands strongly behind Secretary Hegseth and the change that he is bringing to the Pentagon, and the results that he’s achieved thus far speak for themselves,» Leavitt told reporters at a briefing last week, describing the reports as a «smear campaign.»
Trump’s First 100 Days,Pete Hegseth,Pentagon,Politics,National Security
INTERNACIONAL
Comienza la cuenta regresiva para el cónclave: los cardenales buscan definir el rumbo de la Iglesia católica
Tras el masivo funeral del papa Francisco, este lunes a la madrugada argentina comienza la cuenta regresiva hacia el futuro cónclave que deberá elegir al sucesor de Jorge Bergoglio y cuya fecha de inicio será determinada en breve.
El cónclave no empezará antes del domingo 4 de mayo, cuando concluirá el luto de 9 días desde la sepultura del pontífice. La fecha podría ser anunciada este mismo lunes.
Leé también: Se conoció un video inédito del papa Francisco que fue grabado antes de que se agravara su estado de salud
En esta transición de “sede vacante”, el Vaticano atraviesa el período de duelo conocido como “novendiales”, con misas diarias y reuniones periódicas de cardenales en las llamadas “congregaciones generales”.
Cuál es la importancia de las congregaciones generales
Estas asambleas buscan definir el rumbo que deberá seguir la Iglesia en el futuro pontificado y sirven de antesala a la elección del nuevo papa. En estas reuniones participan los cardenales que ya llegaron a Roma y sus deliberaciones son secretas.
Entre otras cosas, la primera congregación celebrada un día después de la muerte de Francisco determinó la fecha del funeral. Se espera que, de ahora en más y hasta el inicio del cónclave, los cardenales comenzarán a definir hacia dónde se inclinará la balanza entre esa lucha entre continuistas y rupturistas sobre la herencia que deja Francisco.
El cardenal Matteo Zuppi llega a la Basílica de San Pedro, mientras el cuerpo del Papa Francisco es llevado en un ataúd dentro de la Basílica, el día de su traslado, en el Vaticano, el 23 de abril de 2025 (Foto: Reuters/Hannah McKay)
Si bien las deliberaciones son secretas, se sabe que estas reuniones son vitales para definir el perfil de quien será el nuevo pontífice.
De hecho, en el último cónclave, según una infidencia “autorizada” hecha hace unos años por el fallecido cardenal cubano Jaime Ortega y Alamino, el entonces cardenal Bergoglio leyó un discurso que captó la atención del sector progresista. “La Iglesia está llamada a salir de sí misma e ir hacia las periferias, no solo las geográficas, sino también las existenciales”, sostuvo. Días después fue electo papa.
El objetivo más ambicioso de estas congregaciones es achicar el tiempo de duración del cónclave. La Iglesia católica necesita dar un mensaje de unidad tras la muerte de Francisco. A nadie escapa que Bergoglio fue un papa muy popular y querido, pero que también generó una fuerte resistencia en la curia y en sectores conservadores.
Leé también: De la niñez al Vaticano: la historia del sacerdote que le enseñó a ser monaguillo al papa Francisco
Si bien en estas reuniones no se barajan nombres, sí se vislumbra el perfil que deberá tener el sucesor. Los discursos de los cardenales tratan de definir el modelo y la agenda prioritaria del nuevo pontificado. El portavoz vaticano, Matteo Bruni, dijo que en la congregación del jueves pasado hubo 34 intervenciones.
En los próximos días, los discursos buscarán “consensuar” el perfil del nuevo papa para evitar un cónclave extenso. “No será largo”, dijo este fin de semana el cardenal Reinhard Marx, arzobispo de Múnich y Freising, la diócesis de Joseph Ratzinger
“Durará pocos días”, aseguró Marx, miembro del Colegio Cardenalicio y coordinador del Consejo para la Economía.
Según el cardenal alemán, el futuro papa deberá ser comunicativo y “poner en el centro la autoridad del Evangelio. En estos días hemos podido constatar el sentimiento del pueblo de Dios Los cardenales no pueden ignorar este sentimiento”, dijo. Sus palabras fueron interpretadas por la prensa italiana como un vaticinio de la “continuidad” del estilo del papa argentino.
Un caso urgente: el cardenal Angelo Becciu
Los cardenales deberán tomar una decisión urgente sobre su colega italiano Angelo Becciu, a quien Francisco le quitó sus “derechos” cardenalicios tras ser condenado por corrupción. Sin embargo, Becciu insiste en su inocencia y reclama participar del cónclave.
Según el diario Domani, Francisco dejó dos cartas en las que confirmó su voluntad de que Becciu sea excluido del cónclave.
Ante este panorama y frente al riesgo de un escándalo, los purpurados decidieron crear una comisión especial conformada por cinco cardenales para analizar el caso. La prensa italiana afirma que el propio Becciu integra el grupo.
Vaticano, conclave, Papa Francisco
Prosecutors in a left-wing Minnesota county attorney’s office will be required to consider defendants’ race when crafting plea deals, according to a local report citing internal documents.
The office of Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty, which recently let a Democrat-connected alleged Tesla vandal off with a slap on the wrist, issued the internal document «Negotiations Policy for Cases Involving Adult Defendants.» It directs prosecutors to consider «racial identity and age» as they negotiate plea deals, local Minnestota outlet KARE 11 first reported last week.
«While racial identity and age are not appropriate grounds for departures [from the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines], proposed resolutions should consider the person charged as a whole person, including their racial identity and age,» the internal document states, according to the outlet.
«While these factors should not be controlling, they should be part of the overall analysis. Racial disparities harm our community, lead to distrust, and have a negative impact on community safety. Prosecutors should be identifying and addressing racial disparities at decision points, as appropriate,» it continues.
STRING OF PLEA DEALS FROM MINNEAPOLIS DA OUTRAGES FAMILIES OF VICTIMS, DRAWS CONCERN FROM LEGAL EXPERTS
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty speaks in video address. (Hennepin County Attorney’s Office/YouTube)
The policy changes are set to take effect on April 28, according to the outlet. Hennepin County encompasses the city of Minneapolis and is the most populous county in the Democrat-run state.
The «Negotiations Policy for Cases Involving Adult Defendants» began circulating in the county attorney’s office last week, KARE 11 reported.
Fox News Digital reached out to the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office on Sunday morning regarding the policy update, motivation behind the internal document and whether there are any concerns over the constitutionality of the changes, and is awaiting a response.
The reported plea deal policy comes with constitutionality issues, according to KARE 11, which spoke to local attorneys to weigh in on the change.
SOROS PROSECUTOR RIPPED FOR FAILING TO CHARGE WALZ STAFFER OVER TESLA VANDALISM: ‘TWO-TIERED JUSTICE SYSTEM’
«It both says, ‘Don’t take race into account,’ presumably because of the constitutional problems with taking race into account in addition to potentially political objections, but it simultaneously says this is something you should consider,» Jill Hasday, a University of Minnesota law professor, told the outlet. «And the problem for the drafters of this policy is, once you take race into account, it doesn’t really matter what else you say. The policy is going to be struck down.»
Another local attorney brushed off constitutionality concerns, saying that county prosecutors are directed to steer clear of racial disparities, not create them.
A man in handcuffs (Reuters/Lucy Nicholson) (Reuters/Lucy Nicholson)
«I definitely think that some people will get worked up about the issue, but I don’t see a constitutional problem, and that’s specifically because the policy tells prosecutors to avoid racial disparities. Not to create them,» University of St. Thomas law professor Rachel Moran told the outlet.
The Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution requires states to govern impartially, meaning that states and official government actions cannot discriminate or treat individuals differently based on characteristics such as race.
WALZ STAFFER ACCUSED OF VANDALIZING TESLAS MIGHT NOT FACE CHARGES: REPORT
«Our sentencing guidelines that criminal justice professionals use every single day in court say that race should not be used in that calculus. This seems to contradict our sentencing guidelines,» former Washington County, Minnesota, prosecutor Imran Ali told the outlet. «It’s inconsistent not only with our sentencing guidelines, but the policy in and of itself is inconsistent.»
Snow is removed from the entrance of the Hennepin County Government Center in Minneapolis on Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021. (AP Photo/Christian Monterrosa, File)
The county attorney’s office told KARE 11 that race is an important factor to consider during plea deal negotiations «because we know unaddressed unconscious biases lead to racial disparities.»
«This policy acknowledges that there are many factors to be considered in negotiations. Each case – and defendant – is unique. Someone’s age may change the likelihood of growth and change. A defendant’s race matters because we know unaddressed unconscious biases lead to racial disparities, which is an unacceptable outcome,» the office told the outlet.
NUMBER OF TESLA ATTACKS SOARS PAST 50 AS VIOLENCE TARGETING MUSK’S COMPANY ESCALATES
«Our goal with this policy matches the goal of all our work: to achieve safe, equitable, and just outcomes that center the healing of victims while improving public safety,» the office continued.
Fox News Digital previously reported that Moriarty has been backed by groups tied to money from liberal mega-donor George Soros, who has helped to install scores of soft-on-crime local prosecutors around the nation. She was first elected to the role in 2022 after working for more than two decades as a public defender in the county.
Moriarty most recently made national headlines last week when her office bucked criminally charging a Minnesota state employee suspected of vandalizing six Tesla vehicles and causing $20,000 in damages. Instead, the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office said it would seek «diversion» over charges against Minnesota Department of Human Services data analyst Dylan Bryan Adams. The diversion approach «helps to ensure the individual keeps their job and can pay restitution,» according to the office.
Mugshot of suspected Tesla vandal Dylan Byan Adams (Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office)
Teslas around the country have been targeted for vandalism as its CEO Elon Musk heads up President Donald Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency, which has been auditing various federal agencies for government overspending, fraud and mismanagement.
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Moriarty and her office also came under fire in October of 2023, when families of murder victims slammed a string of plea deals that had been offered to murder defendants, sparing them time behind bars, Fox News Digital previously reported.
Fox News Digital’s Deirdre Heavey and Andrew Mark Miller contributed to this report.
Minnesota,Donald Trump,Elon Musk,Politics
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