Homeland Security Prepares for Expansion of US-VISIT
US-VISIT, a program in which travelers are photographed and digitally fingerprinted as they pass through immigration checkpoints, currently applies to all visitors (with limited exemptions) entering the United States on nonimmigrant visas. From September 30, travelers from the 27 nations participating in the Visa Waiver Program will be required to enroll in US-VISIT.(complete text)

United States to Allow One-Time Exemption for Visa Waiver Program Nations
Effective October 26, nationals of Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries must have either machine-readable passports (MRPs) or visas in their non-MRP passports in order to enter the United States, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said October 22. However, DHS also announced that immigration officials are permitted to grant a one-time exemption to this policy and allow travelers from 22 countries entry without MRPs or visas in their passports.(complete text)

Visa Lottery
Applications for the 2006 Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery will be accepted between November 5, 2004 and January 7, 2005. Persons seeking to apply must register electronically, online through the designated Internet website during the registration period. The 2006 Diversity Visa Lottery marks the second year that electronic registration is required. Paper entries and mail-in requests for Diversity Visa Lottery registration are not accepted.
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Democracy Rises in Afghanistan
On October 9, millions of Afghans will go to the polls to select their President for the next five years. After a month of campaigning, and months of planning, Afghans across this rugged land and refugees in neighboring Pakistan and Iran, will choose among 18 candidates. For the first time in their history, Afghans will select a national leader by secret ballot, and with the full support of the international community.(complete text)

U.S. Committed to Reconstruction of Caribbean Nations Affected by Hurricanes
The United States Government through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is committed to assist countries in the Caribbean in their reconstruction efforts, after the recent destruction caused by hurricanes Ivan and Jeanne.(complete text)

Globalization and Achieving Lasting Development
The World Bank and International Monetary Fund hold their annual meetings on October 2-3. As that gathering discusses globalization and development, I hope it will be with a clear recognition that it is private enterprise that is the basic engine to both.(complete text)

White House Requests $50 Million for Caribbean Hurricane Relief
U.S. President George Bush has submitted a request to the U.S. Congress for $50 million in international disaster and famine assistance funds to mitigate damage in Grenada, Jamaica, Haiti and other nations affected by recent hurricanes. The funds for the Caribbean are part of a $7.1 billion supplemental budget request to assist U.S. and international regions that have been heavily damaged this hurricane season.(complete text)

Some Visitors to United States Need New Passports by October
The Department of Homeland Security has announced that visitors entering the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) must have machine-readable passports by October 26, or the traveler must apply for a visa to enter the country, according to the U.S. Department of State. Citizens of Trinidad and Tobago and other persons traveling from countries where obtaining a visa is standard practice will not be required to have machine-readable passports.(complete text)

New Importation Procedures for Beef Products from the U.S.
Effective June 4, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, Ministry of Agriculture, Lands and Fisheries have agreed to new importation requirements for beef and beef products from the United States.(complete text)

President Issues Independence Day Message
Bush honors nation's military personnel for their sacrifice. President Bush honored the memory of the U.S. founding fathers and the service of American military personnel in a message celebrating July 4, Independence Day.(complete text)