The Department works with nine domestic non-governmental organizations, which place refugees with more than 325 affiliates in roughly 190 communities around the country. These local affiliates work closely with community partners, congregations, volunteers, and state and local officials to provide a successful start for refugees rebuilding their lives. Refugee communities have historically enhanced the economic dynamism and cultural vitality of our nation. Refugees contribute to the United States in numerous ways, including by starting businesses and joining the U.S. military. This program helps the world’s most vulnerable refugees find permanent homes, and it demonstrates the immense generosity of the American people.
– More: https://www.state.gov/bureaus-offices/under-secretary-for-civilian-security-democracy-and-human-rights/bureau-of-population-refugees-and-migration/
Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs
With State Department support, through the Department of Justice Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance, and Training (DOJ/OPDAT), a federal prosecutor from Maine has been deployed to Senegal to serve as a Resident Legal Advisor responsible for providing specialized training and mentoring on terrorism-related investigations and prosecutions in West Africa.
– More: https://www.justice.gov/criminal-opdat
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
184 Maine residents hosted or supported 63 International Visitor Leadership Program participants who visited the state, volunteering a total of 3,469 hours of service.
– More: https://eca.state.gov/ivlp
Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs
The Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs has awarded funds to the Biodiversity Research Institute to reduce the supply and availability of mercury (Hg) for the artisanal small-scale gold mining sector in Indonesia through amending the draft National Implementation Plan (NIP), and by securely storing confiscated Hg, Hg by-products, and recovered Hg from the oil & gas sector at the local level.
– More: http://www.briloon.org/hgcenter
Atlantic salmon, once native to rivers throughout New England, are critically endangered in the United States. Given their extensive range in the North Atlantic, the recovery of these salmon requires both domestic and international action. The North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization, promotes the conservation, restoration, enhancement, and rational management of salmon stocks across the North Atlantic Ocean through international cooperation, where OES/OMC is represented on the U.S. delegation. In coordination with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, OES/OMC works through NASCO to promote conservation, scientific research, and minimize impacts on U.S.-origin Atlantic salmon caught in foreign fisheries.
– More: https://www.state.gov/bureaus-offices/under-secretary-for-economic-growth-energy-and-the-environment/bureau-of-oceans-and-international-environmental-and-scientific-affairs/
Researchers from Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, Jackson Laboratory, and Maine Medical Center Research Institute received grants from the OES-supported U.S.-Israel Binational Science Foundation (BSF) for joint research projects with Israeli scientists. Selected through a peer-reviewed process, the BSF research funding advances our bilateral relationship and shared scientific priorities.
– More: http://www.bsf.org.il/
In Fiscal Year 2017, the Bureau of Consular Affairs (CA) issued visas to 21 children who were adopted by U.S. citizens from Maine. Intercountry adoption is one CA's highest priorities. CA's Office of Children’s Issues plays an active role in the intercountry adoption process and works diligently to establish and maintain intercountry adoption as a viable option throughout the world.
– More: https://travel.state.gov/content/adoptionsabroad/en/about-us/statistics.html
Bureau of Diplomatic Security
Diplomatic Security Boston Field Office serves Maine: Diplomatic Security has offices throughout the United States staffed with special agents and contract investigators, who conduct criminal, counterterrorism and background investigations. Agents assigned to field and resident offices assist in providing support to the protection of the Secretary of State, the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, and visiting foreign dignitaries. Liaison with federal and local law enforcement, foreign mission personnel, local officials, and the private sector complements their major responsibilities.
– More: https://www.state.gov/bureaus-offices/under-secretary-for-management/bureau-of-diplomatic-security/
The Department of State, in partnership with agencies across the federal government, creates jobs for American workers by opening markets and eliminating trade barriers overseas and by attracting foreign direct investment to the United States. In 2018, goods exported totaled $2.8 billion. Those exports supported approximately 17,568 Maine jobs (2016) and foreign direct investment into Maine supports an additional 34,200 jobs (2016).
– More: https://www.trade.gov/mas/ian/statereports/states/me.pdf
Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs
The Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs advocates in meetings of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES)for conservation of pollinators, which contribute $24 billion to the national economy and $155 million to the economy of the state of Maine for potatoes, and tens of millions more for other agricultural products like apples and blueberries.
– More: https://www.nass.usda.gov/Quick_Stats/Ag_Overview/stateOverview.php?state=maine&year=2017
The Thomas R. Pickering and Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Fellowship Programs encourage applications from minority groups historically underrepresented in the U.S. Foreign Service, women, and those with financial need. Each fellowship provides financial assistance towards the completion of a two year master’s degree in a field related to the Foreign Service, academic funding, mentorship and two internships – one in the U.S. and the other abroad at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Fellows commit to a minimum of five years in the Foreign Service. Currently, there are 7 active participants from the state of Maine.
– More: http://www.global.howard.edu/ralph-j-bunche/fellowship/
Education
Bureau of Global Talent Management
Diplomat-in-Residence (Philip Beekman): Diplomats in Residence (DIRs) are career Foreign Service Officers or Specialists located throughout the U.S. who provide guidance and advice to students, professionals and the community about Department careers.
– More: http://careers.state.gov/connect/dir
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
37 Scholars, Students and Teachers from Maine were awarded a Fulbright Scholarship, and 9 international students received a Fulbright to study in Maine.
– More: https://eca.state.gov/fulbright
95 exchange visitors from overseas visited Maine and 49 Maine residents travelled overseas as part of the Department’s educational and cultural exchange funded programs.
– More: https://exchanges.state.gov/
