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§ 4802. Responsibility of Secretary of State

Version history — every release point where this text changed

Release point 119-83 · current through 04/13/2026

§ 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

Functions and responsibilities exercised by the Office of Security, Department of State, before
November 11, 1985
.

(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

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

Development and coordination of counterterrorism planning, emergency action planning, threat analysis programs, and liaison with other Federal agencies to carry out this paragraph.

(D)
Security technology

Development and implementation of technical and physical security programs, including security-related construction, radio and personnel security communications, armored vehicles, computer and communications security, and research programs necessary to develop such measures.

(E)
Diplomatic courier service

Management of the diplomatic courier service.

(F)
Personnel training

Development of facilities, methods, and materials to develop and upgrade necessary skills in order to carry out this section.

(G)
Foreign government training

Management and development of antiterrorism assistance programs to assist foreign government security training which are administered by the Department of State under chapter 8 of part II of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2349aa et seq.).

(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

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

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

As used in this subchapter and subchapter III, the term “Federal agency” includes any department or agency of the United States Government.

Source(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
, 108 Stat. 406; Pub. L. 103–415, § 1(f)(4)(A)(i),
Oct. 25, 1994
, 108 Stat. 4300; Pub. L. 107–228, div. A, title V, § 505(a),
Sept. 30, 2002
, 116 Stat. 1393; Pub. L. 118–159, div. G, title LXXV, § 7503,
Dec. 23, 2024
, 138 Stat. 2546.)
Notes

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Section 2708 of this title, referred to in subsec. (a)(2)(B)(xi), was amended generally by Pub. L. 105–323, title I, § 101,
Oct. 30, 1998
, 112 Stat. 3029, and, as so amended, provisions authorizing awards, formerly contained in section 2708(a), are now contained in section 2708(b).
The Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, referred to in subsec. (a)(2)(G), is Pub. L. 87–195,
Sept. 4, 1961
, 75 Stat. 424. Chapter 8 of part II of the Act is classified generally to part VIII (§ 2349aa et seq.) of subchapter II of chapter 32 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 2151 of this title and Tables.

Amendments

2024—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 118–159 designated existing provisions as par. (1), redesignated former pars. (1) and (2) as subpars. (A) and (B), respectively, of par. (1), and added par. (2).
2002—Subsec. (a)(1)(A). Pub. L. 107–228 inserted “Voice of America correspondents on official assignment and” after “abroad (other than”.
1994—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 103–415 substituted “operation” for “operations” in par. (2)(B)(i).
Pub. L. 103–236 designated existing provisions as par. (1), redesignated former pars. (1) to (4) as subpars. (A) to (D), respectively, and added par. (2).
1990—Subsecs. (b) to (d). Pub. L. 101–246 added subsec. (b) and redesignated former subsecs. (b) and (c) as (c) and (d), respectively.
1988—Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 100–461 inserted “or regional inspector general offices under the jurisdiction of the inspector General, Agency for International Development” after “commander”, and substituted a period for “; and” at end.
Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 100–461 struck out par. (3) which read as follows: “establish, notwithstanding any other provision of law, appropriate overseas staffing levels of the Regional Offices of the Inspector General of the Agency for International Development in effective consultation with the Inspector General of the Agency: Provided, That the authority of the Secretary of State shall be exercised only by the Secretary and shall not be delegated to a subordinate officer of the Department of State: Provided further, That the Inspector General must report to the appropriate committees of both Houses of the Congress within thirty days the denial by the Secretary of State of a request by the Inspector General to increase or reduce an existing position level of a regional office: Provided further, That the total number of positions authorized for the Office of the Inspector General in Washington and overseas shall be determined by the Inspector General within the limitation of the appropriations level provided.”
1987—Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 100–202 added par. (3).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1994 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 103–236 applicable with respect to officials, offices, and bureaus of Department of State when executive orders, regulations, or departmental directives implementing the amendments by sections 161 and 162 of Pub. L. 103–236 become effective, or 90 days after
Apr. 30, 1994
, whichever comes earlier, see section 161(b) of Pub. L. 103–236, as amended, set out as a note under section 2651a of this title.

Overseas Security Briefings

Pub. L. 117–81, div. E, title LII, § 5210,
Dec. 27, 2021
, 135 Stat. 2358, provided that:
“Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act [
Dec. 27, 2021
], the Secretary of State shall revise the Foreign Affairs Manual to stipulate that information on the current threat environment shall be provided to all United States Government employees under chief of mission authority traveling to a foreign country on official business. To the extent practicable, such material shall be provided to such employees prior to their arrival at a United States diplomatic post or as soon as possible thereafter.”

Direct Reporting

Pub. L. 114–323, title I, § 103,
Dec. 16, 2016
, 130 Stat. 1909, provided that:
“The Assistant Secretary for Diplomatic Security shall report directly to the Secretary [of State], without being required to obtain the approval or concurrence of any other official of the Department [of State], as threats and circumstances require.”

Marine Corps Security Guard Program

Pub. L. 114–323, title I, § 131,
Dec. 16, 2016
, 130 Stat. 1914, provided that:
“(a)

In General.—

Pursuant to the responsibility of the Secretary [of State] for diplomatic security under section 103 of the Diplomatic Security Act (22 U.S.C. 4802; enacted as part of the Omnibus Diplomatic Security and Antiterrorism Act of 1986 (Public Law 99–399)), the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, shall conduct an annual review of the Marine Corps Security Guard Program, including the following:

“(1)

An evaluation of whether the size and composition of the Marine Corps Security Guard Program is adequate to meet global diplomatic security requirements.

“(2)

An assessment of whether the Marine Corps security guards are appropriately deployed among United States embassies, consulates, and other diplomatic facilities to respond to evolving security developments and potential threats to United States interests abroad.

“(3)

An assessment of the mission objectives of the Marine Corps Security Guard Program and the procedural rules of engagement to protect diplomatic personnel under the Program.

“(b)

Reporting Requirement.—

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [

Dec. 16, 2016
] and annually thereafter for 3 years, the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, shall submit to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on Armed Services, and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on Armed Services, and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate an unclassified report, with a classified annex as necessary, that addresses the requirements specified in subsection (a).”

Congressional Notification and Briefing Requirement on Ordered Evacuations of United States Embassies and Consulates Involving Support Provided by the Department of Defense

Pub. L. 114–92, div. A, title X, § 1091,
Nov. 25, 2015
, 129 Stat. 1018, provided that:
“(a)

Notification Requirement.—

The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of State shall provide notification to the appropriate congressional committees as soon as practicable upon the initiation of an ordered evacuation of a United States embassy or consulate involving support provided by the Department of Defense.

“(b)

Briefing Requirement.—

The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of State shall provide a briefing to the appropriate congressional committees not later than 15 days after the initiation of an ordered evacuation of a United States embassy or consulate involving support provided by the Department of Defense.

“(c)

Appropriate Congressional Committees Defined.—

In this section, the term ‘appropriate congressional committees’ means—

“(1)

the congressional defense committees [Committees on Armed Services and Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives]; and

“(2)

the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives.”

Personnel Security Program for Embassies in Critical Human Intelligence Threat Countries

Pub. L. 100–204, title I, § 155,
Dec. 22, 1987
, 101 Stat. 1353, as amended by Pub. L. 119–60, div. E, title V, § 5505,
Dec. 18, 2025
, 139 Stat. 1600, provided that:
“(a)

Special Security Program.—

The Secretary of State shall develop and implement, within three months after the date of enactment of this Act [

Dec. 22, 1987
], a special personnel security program for personnel of the Department of State assigned to United States diplomatic and consular posts in critical human intelligence threat countries and countries designated by the Under Secretary of State for Management and for any individuals performing guard functions at those posts. Such program shall include—

“(1)

selection criteria and screening to ensure suitability for assignment to critical human intelligence threat countries;

“(2)

counterintelligence awareness and related training;

“(3)

security reporting and command arrangements designed to counter intelligence threats; and

“(4)

length of duty criteria and policies regarding rest and recuperative absences.

“(b)

Report to Congress.—

Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this subsection [

Dec. 22, 1987
], the Secretary of State shall report to the Congress on the special personnel security program required by subsection (a).

“(c)

Country-specific Threat Training Required.—

Personnel assigned to posts in critical human intelligence threat countries shall receive country-specific threat training informed by assessments from relevant elements of the intelligence community (as such term is defined in section 3(4) of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3003(4))), at the appropriate classification level.

“(d)

Definition.—

As used in subsection (a), the term ‘critical human intelligence threat country’ means—

“(1)

a country listed as a Communist country in section 620(f) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 [22 U.S.C. 2370(f)]; and

“(2)

any other country designated as a critical human intelligence threat country for purposes of this section by the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Defense, the Director of Central Intelligence, or the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.”

[Reference to the Director of Central Intelligence or the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency in the Director’s capacity as the head of the intelligence community deemed to be a reference to the Director of National Intelligence. Reference to the Director of Central Intelligence or the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency in the Director’s capacity as the head of the Central Intelligence Agency deemed to be a reference to the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. See section 1081(a), (b) of Pub. L. 108–458, set out as a note under section 3001 of Title 50, War and National Defense.]

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