The chief of the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia issued a new executive order on Thursday allowing officers to assist federal immigration enforcement efforts by sharing immigration information of individuals not in police custody, including during traffic stops.
The Trump administration has told the Fourth Circuit that district court orders barring the removal and ordering the release of Indian Georgetown academic Badar Khan Suri, who was detained on foreign policy grounds, flout longstanding limits on courts' authority over habeas petitions.
A California federal judge has blocked the federal government from using Medicaid information from 20 states for immigration enforcement purposes, marking a partial victory for the coalition of states challenging a new data-sharing arrangement between the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Homeland Security.
Updated to reflect the addition of health and civil unrest indicators.
Exercise increased caution in Cameroon due to armed violence, civil unrest, crime, health, kidnapping, and terrorism. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.
Do Not Travel to:
- Northwest and Southwest Regions due to armed violence, crime, and kidnapping.
- North Region and parts of East and Adamawa Regions due to crime and kidnapping.
- Far North Region due to crime, kidnapping, and terrorism.
Country Summary: Violent crime, kidnapping for ransom, armed robbery, and carjacking, is common throughout Cameroon, especially in the regions listed above. Local police lack the resources to respond effectively to serious criminal incidents.
Civil unrest is common, with the potential for political violence.
Access to health care is limited.
The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in North, Far North, Northwest, Southwest, and parts of Adamawa and East Regions of Cameroon due to current official travel restrictions..
Read the Country Information Page for additional information on travel to Cameroon.
If you decide to travel to Cameroon:
- Do not display signs of wealth, such as expensive watches, handbags, or jewelry.
- Monitor local media for breaking events and be prepared to adjust your plans.
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive important information from the Embassy about safety conditions in your destination country, help the Embassy contact you in an emergency, and help family and friends get in touch with you in an emergency.
- Follow the Department of State on Facebook and X/Twitter.
- Review the Country Security Report for Cameroon.
- Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.
- Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.
North, Far North, Northwest, and Southwest Regions, and parts of East and Adamawa Regions – Level 4: Do Not Travel
Violent crime, including kidnapping for ransom, armed robbery, assault, and carjacking is a serious concern in Cameroon, especially in these areas.
In the Adamawa Region north of the capital, Ngaoundere, and East Region, there is a heightened criminal threat within 20 kilometers of the border with the Central African Republic.
Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.
Far North Region– Level 4: Do Not Travel
In the Far North Region, terrorists may attack with no warning, targeting local facilities and places frequented by Westerners.
Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.
Northwest and Southwest Regions – Level 4: Do Not Travel
In Northwest and Southwest Regions, armed clashes between separatists and government forces, and other acts of violence, including violent criminality, kidnapping for ransom, sexual assault, arson, roadside ambushes and robberies, use of improvised explosive devices, illegitimate detentions, and murder have occurred. Security force operations, curfews and movement restrictions, and attacks by armed militants can take place at any time throughout these regions, including in urban areas. Ongoing violence has led to a breakdown in order and a significant decline in public services, including medical resources in large areas of both regions.
Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.
PHARR, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations officers at the Hidalgo International Bridge, intercepted $7,660,000 in alleged methamphetamine within a shipment manifested as roses.“This large hard narcotics seizure…
CBP officers detain man for assaulting officers, impeding inspection at Del Rio International Bridge
DEL RIO, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations officers at the Del Rio International Bridge detained a male U.S. citizen for allegedly assaulting, resisting or impeding certain officers or employees. “…
Reissued after periodic review with minor edits.
Reconsider travel to Guatemala due to crime. Some areas have higher risks. Please read the full Travel Advisory.
Do not travel to:
- San Marcos Department (except the city of San Marcos) due to crime.
- Huehuetenango Department (except the city of Huehuetenango) due to crime.
- Zone 18 in Guatemala City and the city of Villa Nueva due to crime.
Country Summary: Some areas of Guatemala have problems with gangs, robbery, carjacking, drug trafficking and violence. Local law enforcement may not always respond well to serious crimes, leading to low arrest and conviction rates. While tourists are not usually targeted, they can still be victims of opportunistic crimes.
Guatemala has a program called the Tourist Assistance Program (ASISTUR) that helps protect tourists. ASISTUR works with tourist police (DISETUR) in popular areas like Antigua, Lake Atitlán, Tikal, Quetzaltenango, Puerto Barrios, and Coban. They also have an emergency call center that speaks both Spanish and English. Tourist groups can request a security escort if they have safety concerns. You can call them anytime by dialing 1500 from a Guatemalan phone number or (502) 2290-2810, and you can also reach them on WhatsApp at +502-5188-1819.
U.S. government employees and their families cannot travel to the San Marcos Department, Huehuetenango Department, Zone 18 in Guatemala City, or Villa Nueva. They can travel to other parts of Guatemala and visit popular places like Tikal, Antigua, Lake Atitlán, and the Pacific coast areas in the Santa Rosa and Escuintla. However, they should avoid driving outside Guatemala City at night because of poor lighting and safety risks. They may not use white car taxis or public transportation, like “chicken buses” due to the high chance of crime and injury.
Check the country information page for helpful information about traveling to Guatemala. This includes information on entry and exit rules, safety, local laws, health, and getting around. Also, visit the U.S. Embassy in Guatemala City’s website for local resources, like legal help, medical services, driver’s licenses, and information on residence and work permits, as well as rules about bringing weapons into Guatemala.
If you decide to travel to Guatemala:
- Do not travel outside Guatemala City at night because the roads are poorly lit, and there is a high risk for serious traffic accidents.
- When visiting Lake Atitlán, use certified tour guides and travel between villages by chartered boat. The paths around the lake can be dangerous and hard to access. Emergency services cannot arrive quickly to help.
- Avoid swimming in the Pacific Ocean because the currents and undertow are very strong, and there are not many lifeguards.
- Never leave drinks unattended in bars and restaurants and say no to invitations from strangers to private parties.
- Consider staying in hotels that have secure parking, doormen, and professional security staff.
- Use trusted taxi services like Taxis Amarillo Express, Taxi Seguro, or Uber, and only use INGUAT-approved taxis from the “SAFE” stand at the airport, hotel taxis, or vetted private drivers. Avoid public transport and white car taxis, as well as “chicken buses.”
- Do not hike trails or volcanoes without a qualified local guide, as robberies can happen and getting help can be difficult.
- Avoid using public ATMs, and do not show signs of wealth like wearing expensive watches or jewelry. Also, try not to use your phone in public.
- Check the Overseas Security Advisory Council’s (OSAC) Country Security Report for Guatemala.
- Review the Traveler’s Checklist and make a plan for emergencies.
- Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Notice and Yellow Book on Guatemala.
- Sign up for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts while in Guatemala and help others find you in case of an emergency.
- Follow the U.S. Embassy in Guatemala on Facebook and X(Twitter) for updates.
San Marcos Department – Level 4: Do Not Travel
U.S. government personnel and their families may not go to the San Marcos Department for personal travel, except for the city of San Marcos itself. There is a lot of drug trafficking in this area, and many parts are controlled by drug gangs. Some towns do not have enough police, and local officers may not have the resources to handle serious crimes.
Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.
Huehuetenango Department – Level 4: Do Not Travel
U.S. government personnel and their families may not go to Huehuetenango Department for personal travel, except for the city of Huehuetenango itself. There is a lot of drug trafficking in this area, and many parts are controlled by drug gangs. Some towns do not have enough police, and local officers may not have the resources to handle serious crimes.
Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.
Zone 18 in Guatemala City and the city of Villa Nueva – Level 4: Do Not Travel
U.S. government personnel and their families are not allowed to travel to or through Zone 18 in Guatemala City and the city of Villa Nueva due to increased risk of crime and significant gang activity. Aside from Zone 18 and Villa Nueva, U.S. government personnel and their family members are permitted to travel throughout Guatemala City, even at night.
Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.
A man charged with felony assault for allegedly throwing a sandwich at a U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent was a member of the U.S. Department of Justice and has been fired, Attorney General Pam Bondi said Thursday.
In this month's review of class action appeals, Mitchell Engel at Shook Hardy discusses key takeaways from federal appellate decisions involving topics including antitrust, immigration, consumer fraud, birthright citizenship under the Fourteenth Amendment, and product defects.