22 U.S.C. § 3952

Current through P.L. 118-106 (published on www.congress.gov on 10/04/2024)

Section 3952 - Diplomatic and consular missions

(a) Recommendations by Secretary of State; appointment by President; vice consul; performance of official functions under commission

The Secretary of State may recommend to the President that a member of the Service who is a citizen of the United States be commissioned as a diplomatic or consular officer or both. The President may, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, commission such member of the Service as a diplomatic or consular officer or both. The Secretary of State may commission as a vice consul a member of the Service who is a citizen of the United States. All official functions performed by a diplomatic or consular officer, including a vice consul, shall be performed under such a commission.

(b) Function of commissioned Service members

Members of the Service commissioned under this section may, in accordance with their commissions, perform any function which any category of diplomatic officer (other than a chief of mission) or consular officer is authorized by law to perform.

(c) Limits of consular districts

The Secretary of State shall define the limits of consular districts.

22 U.S.C. § 3952

Pub. L. 96-465, title I, §312, Oct. 17, 1980, 94 Stat. 2087.

chief of mission

"chief of mission" means the principal officer in charge of a diplomatic mission of the United States or of a United States office abroad which is designated by the Secretary of State as diplomatic in nature, including any individual assigned under section 3982(c) of this title to be temporarily in charge of such a mission or office;

function

"function" includes any duty, obligation, power, authority, responsibility, right, privilege, discretion, or activity;