Diplomatic and Consular Immunities

International law requires that law enforcement authorities of the United States extend certain privileges and immunities to members of foreign diplomatic missions and consular posts. The purpose of these privileges and immunities is not to benefit individuals but to ensure the efficient and effective performance of their official missions on behalf of their governments. Most of these privileges and immunities are not absolute, and law enforcement officers retain their fundamental responsibility to protect and police the orderly conduct of persons in the United States. The State Department booklet, Diplomatic and Consular Immunity: Guidance for Law Enforcement and Judicial Authorities clarifies the many issues of diplomatic immunity as it pertains to enforcing the law. This publication offers a guide to the categories of foreign mission personnel and the privileges and immunities to which each is entitled. It explains how to identify (and verify the identity of) such persons and furnishes guidance to assist law enforcement officers in handling incidents involving foreign diplomatic and consular personnel.

For a free copy of Diplomatic and Consular Immunity: Guidance for Law Enforcement and Judicial Authorities, please write:

Protective Liaison Division
Bureau of Diplomatic Security
U.S. Department of State
SA-33
Washington, DC 20522

For a summary of some of the immunities afforded to foreign diplomatic personnel residing in the United States. See Legal Aspects of Diplomatic Immunity and Privileges.

Arrest and Detention of Foreign Nationals Not Possessing Diplomatic Immunity
For information on the arrest and detention of foreign nationals not possessing any form of diplomatic or consular immunity, please refer to Department of State Publication, Consular Notification and Access: Instructions for Federal, State, and Local Law Enforcement and Other Officials Regarding Foreign Nationals in the United States and the Rights of Consular Officials to Assist Them.

Additional information on this subject can be obtained by writing or calling:

Office of Public Affairs and
     Policy Coordination for Consular Affairs
CA/P, Room 6831
U.S. Department of State
Washington, DC 20520

Phone: (202) 647-4415
Fax: (202) 736-7559

State Department representatives are available 24-hours daily to assist in emergency situations and when immediate confirmation of a perion's status is required. See Immunity Issues: Telephone Numbers.