2025-04-03T19:07:43.000Z

In 1947, an agreement was established to define the obligations of the United States as the host nation for the United Nations. Nearly eight decades later, this agreement continues to allow U.N. employees and their families relatively unhindered access to U.S. soil, a situation that is coming under increasing scrutiny in light of heightened national security concerns and strict immigration policies implemented during the Trump administration. Experts are now calling for a thorough re-evaluation of the host country agreement, particularly focusing on the immunity that U.N. personnel enjoy and the insufficient vetting processes for individuals holding U.N. visas.

Anne Bayefsky, the director of the Touro Institute on Human Rights and the Holocaust and president of Human Rights Voices, expressed her concerns in an interview with Fox News Digital. She pointed out that there seems to be a troubling disconnect between the welcoming nature of the U.S. toward U.N. personnel and the potential risks that such policies pose to American national security. “The United States appears to have taken a relaxed view of the individuals entering the country associated with the U.N., either as employees or as representatives of various country missions,” Bayefsky noted. She emphasized the importance of reviewing the implications of this relaxed attitude, especially given that U.N. employees have had established ties with organizations like Hamas and UNRWA, which are often criticized for their associations with terrorism.

According to the U.S. federal government, G visas are issued to employees, as well as their spouses and children, of international organizations such as the U.N. who are residing in or visiting the United States. The State Department’s website clearly states, “if you are entitled to a G visa, under U.S. visa law, you must receive a G visa. The exceptions to this rule are extremely limited.” Moreover, the Department explains that embassies and consulates generally do not require interviews for those applying for G-1 to G-4 and NATO-1 to NATO-6 visas; however, a consular officer retains the discretion to request an interview if deemed necessary.

Hugh Dugan, a senior advisor to eleven former U.S. ambassadors to the U.N., raised additional concerns regarding the G visa issuance process, stating that it seems to be a “relatively rubber stamp exercise.” He suggested that while avoiding interviews for personnel may have been implemented for convenience, the stakes are high enough that assessing potential threats should always be a priority. Dugan, who previously served as a special assistant to the president on the National Security Council, compared the U.S. approach to that of other nations, such as Russia and China, which have restrictions on how far their representatives can travel from U.N. headquarters. “We are mindful of our adversaries’ activities and presence here,” he stated, underscoring the importance of being vigilant, especially when engaging with international personnel.

Fox News Digital also reached out to the State Department to inquire about whether interviews are required for staff from adversarial member states, such as Cuba, Venezuela, Russia, North Korea, Iran, and China, but did not receive a response. In a follow-up, a State Department spokesperson reiterated that consular officers maintain complete authority to request in-person interviews for any reason, thus leaving open the possibility for greater scrutiny.

Peter Gallo, a former investigator with the U.N. Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), also shared his apprehensions regarding the functional immunity that U.N. staff enjoy, particularly concerning their activities related to employment. Gallo expressed concern that this immunity often results in a lack of accountability. “The U.S. legal system has come to accept that pretty much it’s a blanket coverage,” he explained, adding that “immunity breeds impunity.”

Highlighting the gravity of the situation, Gallo reported an alarming trend of sexual offenses and misconduct among U.N. staff. He recounted a specific incident where a U.N. employee outside the U.S. was accused of sexually harassing a junior female staff member. Notably, it took two years for an investigation to conclude, leading to only a demotion of the offending employee. Disturbingly, both the victim and the perpetrator remained in the same organization, raising serious questions about the ability of the U.N. to manage such cases effectively. Gallo argued that if any misconduct occurs while employees are based at U.N. headquarters, the U.S. government should have the authority to examine these cases and revoke G visas if necessary.

Dugan further suggested that if U.N. personnel understood that the immunity provided to them could be lifted at any time, they might adjust their behavior accordingly. “If they knew that [immunity] could be lifted at any time by us… they might start behaving a lot differently,” he remarked.

In response to inquiries about whether U.N. staff have faced accusations of sexual misconduct in the U.S. or whether such individuals have had their G visas revoked, the State Department remarked that it typically does not disclose statistics on visa revocation. The spokesperson further explained that all visa applicants, regardless of visa type or location, undergo continuous vetting that begins with the application and continues throughout the validity of each visa, aiming to ensure ongoing eligibility for travel to the United States.

Additionally, U.N. officials are expected to adhere to applicable U.S. laws, including criminal statutes. Violating these laws may lead to an abuse of their privileges of residence, as stated by the spokesperson. Such measures also apply to individuals who hold diplomatic immunity due to their positions.

Among those within the U.N. voicing concerns is Francesca Albanese, a special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories. Albanese traveled to the U.S. in 2024 to present a report before the Third Committee of the General Assembly. Despite her history of antisemitic remarks that have drawn criticism from prominent U.S. diplomats and the State Department, she was permitted to visit multiple U.S. college campuses during her time in the country.

Moreover, staff members of international organizations like the United Nations can also qualify for green cards in the U.S. if they have worked for at least half of a minimum of seven years in the country or accumulated a total of 15 years of residence before retirement, indicating that the pathways to permanent residency may further complicate the discussion surrounding the G visa issuance process.