PRESS RELEASES
Immigrant Visa Services Commence at the U.S. Embassy, Awkar
10 November 2004
U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Jeffrey D. Feltman delivered the first
Immigrant Visas processed at the U.S. Embassy in Beirut to a Lebanese
family, today, November 10, 2004. In remarks to the press, the Ambassador
noted that resumption of Immigrant Visa services, which had been
interrupted for twenty years by the civil war, was an important
step for the United States and Lebanon. He said, "It brings
the day closer when the United States and Lebanon will have cast
off all the vestiges of a violent and unstable period and can carry
out business normally as two sovereign and independent countries."
Beginning November 15, 2004, the Immigrant Visa Section will be
open to the public to offer all services for immigrant visas, including
adjudicating immigrant, diversity and fiancé visas and accepting
petitions. The Embassy website www.usembassy.gov.lb provides information
about both immigrant and non-immigrant visas.
The Ambassador also noted that the U.S. Diversity Visa Lottery
offers the chance for high school graduates and skilled professionals
from around the world-including the citizens of Lebanon-to submit
an electronic entry that, if selected, could hold the promise of
legal immigration to the United States. Applications for this year's
lottery are now being accepted through January 5, 2005 at www.dvlottery.state.gov.
Details on how to apply can also be found on the Embassy website.
Full text of the Ambassador's remarks follows:
I'm very pleased to welcome you to the U.S. Embassy today to celebrate
the resumption of Immigrant Visa services at the U.S. Consulate
in Beirut. The resumption of these services-interrupted for twenty
years by a tragic civil war-is an important step for both the United
States and Lebanon. It brings the day closer when the United States
and Lebanon will have cast off all the vestiges of a violent and
unstable period and can carry out business normally as two sovereign
and independent countries.
With the conclusion of the Taif Accord in 1989, life in Lebanon
has increasingly moved towards normality and stability. The United
States has responded by progressively reestablishing Embassy functions.
This process was accelerated in 1997 when restrictions on the use
of American passports for travel to Lebanon were removed. That same
year, USAID assigned an American officer to Lebanon-the beginnings
of what is now a dynamic $60 million program of development assistance
to expand economic opportunities, promote democracy and good governance,
and improve environmental practices in Lebanon. In 1999, American
Foreign Service Officers returned to head the Embassy's Public Affairs
Section and offer Foreign Commercial Services. And in June 2003,
we opened this beautiful, purpose-built facility to provide non-immigrant
visa services to applicants from Lebanon.
I am particularly pleased that the U.S. Embassy is now able to
offer Immigrant Visa services in Beirut. The United States is, after
all, a country of immigrants. Since the first Europeans set sail
for the shores of an unexplored continent, America has been a land
of new beginnings and opportunities. Our country has been enriched
and strengthened by the contributions of immigrants from every corner
of the Earth. And many sons and daughters of Lebanon have embraced
the United States as their adopted country. With their energy, drive
to succeed and commitment to family and community, Lebanese-Americans
are admired and respected throughout the 50 American states in which
they reside.
The U.S. remains committed to its policy of family reunification,
and legal immigration for employment purposes. With the resumption
of Immigrant Visa services at the U.S. Embassy, Lebanese applicants
will now be able to complete the formalities of immigration here
in Beirut.
And the United States remains a welcoming and generous country
for legal immigrants. The U.S. Diversity Visa Lottery offers the
chance for high school graduates and skilled professionals from
around the world-including the citizens of Lebanon-to submit an
electronic entry that, if selected, could hold the promise of legal
immigration to the United States. Applications for this year's lottery
are now being accepted through January 5, 2005. Details on how to
apply can be found on our Embassy website (www.usembassy.gov.lb)
I don't need to remind you that the events of September 11, 2001,
caused the U.S. Government to review its policies for entry into
the United States. Nevertheless, with the goal of Secure Borders/Open
Doors, legal and documented travelers remain welcome in the United
States.
And I am proud that the United States remains a desired destination
for so many people around the world, including from Lebanon. Whether
you are traveling for tourism, educational opportunities or training,
to visit friends and family, or to conduct business, your visit
to the United States will begin here, at the U.S. Consulate in Beirut.
Here, you can expect that my staff will provide courteous and responsive
service to all visa applicants. The Embassy website is a useful
first step in planning your travel to the U.S. There you will find
information about applying for immigrant and non-immigrant visas
and about services offered to American citizens.
I look forward to the day when travel between Lebanon and the United
States is possible equally in two directions. As you know, a U.S.
Government Travel Warning remains in effect for Lebanon. This Travel
Warning reminds U.S. citizens that the Department of State has safety
and security concerns about Lebanon. As a result, and as you were
no doubt reminded as you entered the Embassy compound today, my
staff and I live under a strict security regime. Nevertheless, I
look forward to the day when a change in conditions will allow the
U.S. Government to lift this Travel Warning. Full implementation
of UN Security Council Resolution 1559 is an integral part of this
process. A stable and secure Lebanon will result from a sovereign,
independent Lebanon, free of all foreign forces.
Travel between our two countries strengthens the ties between the
Lebanese and American people. Already, Americans-many of them second,
third and fourth generation Lebanese Americans-see Lebanon as a
destination for tourism, study, and business opportunity. Travel
between Lebanon and the U.S. will ensure that the futures of our
two peoples are inextricably linked. The connections between our
people underscore our shared commitment to secure a hopeful future
of democracy, economic prosperity, peace and stability for all our
peoples.
And now it is my pleasure to present the first immigrant visas
issued by the U.S. Consulate in Beirut in twenty years.
My staff and I would be happy to take your questions.
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