US State Department lifts discriminatory assignment restrictions for employees with foreign ties and disabilities.
The US State Department will no longer issue assignment restrictions as a condition of granting security clearance, which were perceived as discriminatory by diplomats and Democratic lawmakers, particularly against employees with Asian American and Pacific Islander backgrounds. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the change after lifting more than half of the restrictions during his first year, and a review and appeal process will be rolled out for those currently subject to the restrictions. However, some restrictions will remain in place for certain situations.