22 USC 4802 - Responsibility of Secretary of State

U.S Code last checked for updates: Sep 20, 2026

§ 4802.

Responsibility of Secretary of State

(a)

Security functions

(1)

The Secretary of State shall develop and implement (in consultation with the heads of other Federal agencies having personnel or missions abroad where appropriate and within the scope of the resources made available) policies and programs, including funding levels and standards, to provide for the security of United States Government operations of a diplomatic nature and foreign government operations of a diplomatic nature in the United States. Such policies and programs shall include—

(A)

protection of all United States Government personnel on official duty abroad (other than Voice of America correspondents on official assignment and those personnel under the command of a United States area military commander) and their accompanying dependents;

(B)

establishment and operation of security functions at all United States Government missions abroad (other than facilities or installations subject to the control of a United States area military commander);

(C)

establishment and operation of security functions at all Department of State facilities in the United States; and

(D)

protection of foreign missions, international organizations, and foreign officials and other foreign persons in the United States, as authorized by law.

(2)

Security responsibilities shall include the following:

(A)

Former Office of Security functions

(B)

Security and protective operations

(i)

Establishment and operation of post security and protective functions abroad.

(ii)

Development and implementation of communications, computer, and information security.

(iii)

Emergency planning.

(iv)

Establishment and operation of local guard services abroad.

(v)

Supervision of the United States Marine Corps security guard program.

(vi)

Liaison with American overseas private sector security interests.

(vii)

Protection of foreign missions and international organizations, foreign officials, and diplomatic personnel in the United States, as authorized by law.

(viii)

Protection of the Secretary of State and other persons designated by the Secretary of State, as authorized by law.

(ix)

Physical protection of Department of State facilities, communications, and computer and information systems in the United States.

(x)

Conduct of investigations relating to protection of foreign officials and diplomatic personnel and foreign missions in the United States, suitability for employment, employee security, illegal passport and visa issuance or use, and other investigations, as authorized by law.

(xi)

Carrying out the rewards program for information concerning international terrorism authorized by section 2708(a) 1

 See References in Text note below.

of this title.

(xii)

Performance of other security, investigative, and protective matters as authorized by law.

(C)

Counterterrorism planning and coordination

(D)

Security technology

(E)

Diplomatic courier service

(F)

Personnel training

(G)

Foreign government training

(b)

Overseas evacuations

The Secretary of State shall develop and implement policies and programs to provide for the safe and efficient evacuation of United States Government personnel, dependents, and private United States citizens when their lives are endangered. Such policies shall include measures to identify high risk areas where evacuation may be necessary and, where appropriate, providing staff to United States Government missions abroad to assist in those evacuations. In carrying out these responsibilities, the Secretary shall—

(1)

develop a model contingency plan for evacuation of personnel, dependents, and United States citizens from foreign countries;

(2)

develop a mechanism whereby United States citizens can voluntarily request to be placed on a list in order to be contacted in the event of an evacuation, or which, in the event of an evacuation, can maintain information on the location of United States citizens in high risk areas submitted by their relatives;

(3)

assess the transportation and communications resources in the area being evacuated and determine the logistic support needed for the evacuation; and

(4)

develop a plan for coordinating communications between embassy staff, Department of State personnel, and families of United States citizens abroad regarding the whereabouts of those citizens.

(c)

Oversight of posts abroad

(1)

The Secretary of State shall—

(A)

have full responsibility for the coordination of all United States Government personnel assigned to diplomatic or consular posts or other United States missions abroad pursuant to United States Government authorization (except for facilities, installations, or personnel under the command of a United States area military commander) 2

 So in original. Probably should be followed by “; and”.

(B)

establish appropriate overseas staffing levels for all such posts or missions for all Federal agencies with activities abroad (except for personnel and activities under the command of a United States area military commander or regional inspector general offices under the jurisdiction of the inspector 3

 So in original. Probably should be capitalized.

General, Agency for International Development).

(2)

The Secretary of State shall notify the appropriate congressional committees within 10 days of any decision to retain authority over or approve decisions at an overseas post, including the movement of personnel.

(d)

Federal agency

(Pub. L. 99–399, title I, § 103, Aug. 27, 1986, 100 Stat. 856; Pub. L. 100–202, § 101(e) [title II, § 201], Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1329–131, 1329–141; Pub. L. 100–461, title II, § 201, Oct. 1, 1988, 102 Stat. 2268–10; Pub. L. 101–246, title I, § 115(b), Feb. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 22; Pub. L. 103–236, title I, § 162(g)(2), Apr. 30, 1994,

cite as: 22 USC 4802