Washington, DC - The Department of State (State) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) collaborate closely on adjudications related to the K-1 visa classification, as they do in many other immigration matters. As directed by the President, and in light of the evolving security environment, State and DHS are undertaking a review of the K-1 visa process.

Washington, DC - Yesterday, the United States and Cuba reached a bilateral arrangement to establish scheduled air services between the two countries. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Transportation Affairs Thomas Engle led the U.S. interagency delegation, and Ambassador Yuri Gala Lopez led the Cuban delegation.

Washington, DC - Mexican Foreign Secretary Claudia Ruiz Massieu and Secretary of State John Kerry:

Washington, DC - The Energy Department today announced the seven winners of the second round of the Catalyst Energy Innovation Prize Demo Day, which were chosen out of 19 finalist startups. Each of the contestants faced a diverse panel of judges and an audience of nearly 100 local and regional innovators, entrepreneurs, and investors as they demonstrated their energy software solutions in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on December 10th. Winners will receive up to $100,000 each to help advance their early-stage solutions toward commercialization.

Washington, DC - Statement by the Vice President and Dr. Jill Biden On the Passing of Evelyn Lieberman:

Washington, DC - The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) today announced a new measure that will improve the agency’s ability to determine the source of foodborne illnesses linked to ground beef, stopping foodborne illness outbreaks sooner when they occur.  Based on lessons learned from previous outbreak investigations, FSIS is requiring that all makers of raw ground beef products keep adequate records of the source material, so that the agency can quickly work with the suppliers to recall contaminated product.