American Citizen Newsletters
May 2008
Message from Ambassador Tuttle About Improvements at the U.S. Embassy
Dear Fellow Americans,
As many of you well know, the perimeter of our Embassy in London has been somewhat of an eyesore over the last few years, as we installed temporary security barriers after September 11, 2001 and then started in 2006 a substantial construction project to make permanent security improvements. I am very pleased to report to you that by mid-June those upgrades will be completed, and I believe the Embassy will look better than it ever has.
Working closely with the City of Westminster, our aim has been to not only make the Embassy and its surroundings safer, but also to improve the area's appearance and streamline the entrance of American citizens, visa applicants and other visitors. I look forward to fulfilling that commitment when we open two new entry pavilions in front of the Embassy and complete landscaping that will once again gracefully integrate our presence with the beautiful and historic Grosvenor Square. One of the entry pavilions will be devoted to American citizens and distinguished visitors, while we will have a separate pavilion for processing the daily flow of hundreds of applicants for various types of visas. Chain-link fencing will be replaced by an attractive iron fence, and we will once again have wide pedestrian walkways along Upper Brook and Grosvenor Streets.
This project has taken us a bit longer than we expected, but we are proud of the result that you will see this summer. We appreciate the forbearance of our neighbors, the support of the Westminster Council, and all the hard work that has gone into this project. I hope that the next time you visit the Embassy you will be as proud as we of the Embassy's new look.
Sincerely,
Robert H. Tuttle
Ambassador
Embassy Weekly Update
Americans have in the past asked whether they could find out more about the position of the U.S. Government on matters of foreign policy. While our Consular Newsletter focuses on non-political policy matters affecting the welfare of American citizens in the UK, the Embassy also produces a weekly update on matters of U.S. foreign policy. Those interested in receiving weekly updates on U.S. foreign policy, U.S./UK relations and other political and global issues can subscribe at: http://london.usembassy.gov/ukweekly.html .
Digital Politics – Effects of the Information Age on the 2008 U.S. Election
The Embassy, in partnership with the Financial Times and YouGovStone, will present a live webcast on the "Effects of the Information Age on the 2008 U.S. Election and Beyond" on Thursday, May 15 at 6:30 p.m. An expert panel will examine how the internet and other forms of "new media" (blogging, social networks, video sharing, etc.) are influencing the conduct of the 2008 U.S. presidential campaign, as well as modern electoral politics in the UK. They will explore how these newer means of communication may affect the outcome of elections by shaping the way that voters get information and support their candidates, both financially and through peer persuasion. Watch the discussion live online at www.ft.com/usdiscussion and send your questions to the panel. For further information on the panel members, see www.ft.com/usdiscussion .
Talk with the Consul Webchats
Our next "Talk to the Consul" Webchat will be held on June 26 at 3 p.m. To participate, all you need to do is go to http://webchat.state.gov and follow the instructions. You can even provide us with questions beforehand if you won’t be at a computer on the day of the chat. We look forward to hearing from you!
New Online Passport Application Wizard Helps Speed the Passport Process
You can help us to help you speed the passport process when you apply for your next passport—either in person or by post—by using the Department of State’s new online Passport Application Wizard. The online wizard is quick and easy—you type in the same information you would put on a normal passport application, and at the end, the wizard prints out your completed form for you. Your completed application will have a barcode generated by the wizard, which will make it possible for us to enter the data into our computers by automated scanning rather than manual data entry. The time we save in data entry means your passport is returned to you more quickly, and applicants who must apply in person will spend less time in our waiting room. The wizard also ensures that all required fields on the passport application get filled in, so you know your application won’t be delayed due to accidental blank fields.
The wizard is available at: https://pptform.state.gov .
New State Department Resource for American Students Abroad
The number of college students and young people studying and traveling abroad is growing rapidly. Over 200,000 U.S. college students now study abroad annually, and hundreds of thousands more travel internationally for spring break and other vacations. The Bureau of Consular Affairs has launched a new information resource for American citizen college students and young people studying and traveling internationally, designed to promote safe, smart travel. The Students Abroad information campaign includes a new website, flyers called "go! guides" and a "Tips to Go" wallet card. Through its website at http://studentsabroad.state.gov we offer college students a one-stop reference for international travel.
American Voter Registration Events in the UK
Primary season has nearly passed but voters can still register to vote in the general presidential election in November 2008. To help you do so, we have updated our voter information page at http://london.usembassy.gov/cons_new/acs/scs/voting.html . It contains an explanation and description of the entire process of voting overseas.
There are also a few events this month to assist voters and train voting assistance officers:
If you would like to help other Americans living abroad to vote, come to the Swiss Cottage Community Center on May 17 from 10:30-12:00. Representatives from both Democrats Abroad and Republicans Abroad, as well as the U.S. Embassy will provide you with instruction and supplies for voter registration. You can take the skills you learn back to your organization, business or community and help other Americans participate in the democratic process. There will also be an opportunity to volunteer for voter registration drives following the seminar. Please RSVP to votefromabroad2008@yahoo.com .
You can apply to register to vote or request your absentee ballot next week in Canary Wharf. US voting assistance officers will be located from 11:00 to 2:00 in the Cabot Place Rotunda near Pret a Manger on May 19 and 21 and at Jubilee Place near the Gourmet Burger Kitchen on May 20. Please bring your social security number and your US drivers license, if you have one. If you have any questions or need additional information, please e-mail votefromabroad2008@yahoo.com .
On June 13, the American Society in London will host a reception at the House of Lords from 7 to 9:30 p.m. A U.S. Consular Officer will be present to answer questions about voting and provide voter registration applications. The event is open to members and non-members alike. The cost is £45/person. Those wishing to attend should RSVP by June 2. For more information contact info@americansocietyinlondon.co.uk .
Social Security Cards
Occasionally, when a US citizen resides abroad or when a Lawful Permanent Resident (i.e. a "Green Card Holder") returns to their home country, they give up their US citizenship or permanent residence status. Often, they contact us to ask what they should do with their Social Security card. Our advice is to keep the card in a safe place. The Social Security Number assigned to you is yours forever. No one else will ever be assigned that number again. Furthermore, your earnings, while in the United States, are filed under your Social Security Number. Thus, when it is time to file for benefits or Medicare, you will need to provide your number. Lastly, the change in citizenship or alien status doesn’t affect your earnings record. The earnings posted on your record remain on your record forever. So when it comes to filing for benefits, the credits earned as a result of those earnings will be used to determine your eligibility for benefits and payment amount.
Do Employees in Your Household Need Visas? Apply Early
We strongly recommend that you apply early for any visas which may be required for household staff (e.g.: nannies, attendants, drivers) traveling with Americans back to the U.S. this summer. For more information, please visit our website http://london.usembassy.gov/cons_new/visa/niv/aupair.html or call our visa information line 09042-4500-100 (£1.20 per minute).
U.S. Customs and Border Protection Announces Pilot for Global EntryTM Program: Expedited Screening, Processing for Pre-screened International Travelers
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has announced the launch of the Global EntryTM pilot program. Global EntryTMis designed to expedite the screening and processing of low-risk, frequent international “trusted” travelers entering the United States. Global EntryTMwill be available for U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents who are frequent international travelers, provided they have not been found guilty of a criminal offense, charged with a customs or immigration offense, or declared inadmissible to the U.S. under immigration legislation.
Biometric fingerprint technology will be used to verify the passenger's identity and confirm his or her status as a Global EntryTMparticipant. Upon returning from international travel, Global EntryTM-enrolled travelers may bypass the regular passport control line and proceed directly to the Global EntryTMkiosk. Applications for enrollment in the Global EntryTMprogram will be available through the Global On-Line Enrollment System (GOES) available at www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/. The Global EntryTMapplication process consists of three steps. First, an applicant must complete and submit an on-line application through GOES and pay a $100 fee through www.Pay.gov . CBP officers will review the applicant’s information and a background investigation will be conducted. Finally, the applicant will undergo an interview with CBP officers at an Enrollment Center at JFK, Houston or Dulles Airport. For more information please visit CBP's Frequently Asked Questions at
www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/trusted_traveler/global_entry/global_entry.xml
Phishing Related to the Issuance of Economic Stimulus Payments
The FBI is warning people of recently reported spam e-mail purportedly from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) which is actually an attempt to steal personal information. The e-mail advises the recipient that direct deposit is the fastest and easiest way to receive their economic stimulus tax rebate. The message contains a hyperlink to a fraudulent form which requests the recipient's personally identifiable information, including bank account information. To convince consumers to reply, the e-mail warns that a failure to complete the form in a timely manner will delay the issuance of the rebate check.
Please be cautious of unsolicited e-mails. It is recommended not to open e-mails from unknown senders because they often contain viruses or other malicious software. It is also recommended to avoid clicking links in e-mails received from unknown senders as this is a popular method of directing victims to phishing websites.
If you have received an e-mail similar to this, please notify the IC3 by filing a complaint at www.ic3.gov .
Calendar of American Cultural Events in the United Kingdom
For those looking for a taste of American culture in the United Kingdom, there is always something going on. The Embassy maintains a calendar of American cultural events online at http://london.usembassy.gov/culture/index.html .
Some upcoming events include:
Dancing The World '08, an international dance festival celebrating dance and movement from around the globe. Presented on various dates from May 2 through May 23.
Guardian Hay Festival, a celebration of great writing, held in Hay-n-Wye, Wales, from May 22 through June 1, including as participants novelist John Irving and former President Jimmy Carter.
Dynamic Journey: Transformations of Slavery-Era Spaces, Routes and Sounds Video and presentation by Kay Norton, exploring African American cultural heritage, on May 27, 6 pm at the University of London’s Institute of Musical Research.
Coming of Age: American Art, 1850s - 1950s
Drawn from the Addison Gallery of American Art’s renowned collection, this exhibition on now through June 8 at the Dulwich Picture Gallery will begin with mid-nineteenth-century American landscapes, followed by late nineteenth-century and twentieth century paintings.
American Voices, a fortnight of readings and semi-staged productions exploring some of the strongest and most original voices in contemporary American theatre from a British perspective, from a collaboration by London-based Grey Light Productions with the New York Metropolitan Playhouse. For more information or to book, please visit: www.galleontheatre.co.uk or phone 020 8858 9256. Venue: Greenwich Playhouse, Greenwich Station Forecourt, London.
Waiting for the Barbarians
The Barbican is putting on a production of the opera “Waiting for the Barbarians” by Phillip Glass as part of the Present Voices series. Based on the novel by J.M.Coetzee “Waiting for the Barbarians” looks at war between oppressors and oppressed.
See http://london.usembassy.gov/culture/index.html for more information about these and many other events.
Embassy Closures
The Embassy will be closed on Monday, May 26, for Memorial Day/Spring Bank Holiday.
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Important Security Announcement
When visiting the Embassy, please remember not to bring mobile phones or any electronic devices, such as Blackberries, iPods, or PDAs, as they are not allowed within the Embassy.
We also strongly advise that you do not bring large bags, such as backpacks, suitcases or packages to the interview as there are no storage facilities on Embassy grounds.
Click on this link for a PDF file for a list of Left Luggage storage facilities. |
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