WALK-IN GUIDANCE FOR 2009

UNCLAS STATE 119155 E.O. 12958: DECL: N/A TAGS: ASEC CVIS PINR PREF SUBJECT: WALK-IN GUIDANCE FOR 2009 REF: STATE 119085, NOVEMBER 18, 2009 ¶1. Department has just transmitted reftel, which provides detailed, classified guidance on handling foreign national walk-ins. Chiefs of Mission should ensure that all posts under their authority have procedures in place consistent with that guidance. Posts without classified capacity should arrange for appropriate cleared post personnel to read reftel at a mission with classified capacity or at the Department during consultations, and should work with their RSO to obtain advice regarding the procedures to be followed with respect to foreign national walk- ins. ¶2. While reftel provides classified guidance, the following unclassified guidance is generally applicable: posts should fully screen any foreign national walk-in through access control and ensure that he/she does not pose a danger to the mission. After security screening the usual next point of contact for a walk-in is the RSO or Assistant RSO. Walk-ins seeking asylum or refugee status should be referred to the UNHCR. Where there is no UNHCR office, that organization's responsibilities generally are handled by the local UNDP office. In unusual cases where resettlement in the United States is appropriate, posts will normally want to explore options of parole, refugee resettlement, or immigrant visas. Post procedures and duty officer handbook should contain this information. ¶3. MINIMIZE CONSIDERED CLINTON