The U.S. State Department announced a new visa limitation policy targeting foreign government officials and agents who help fugitives evade punishment.
The Fallon Smart policy is named after a 15-year-old who was killed in a hit-and-run in Oregon in 2016, according to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The foreign national accused of causing Smart’s death fled the country to avoid manslaughter charges.
“The Department of State is committed to deterring and promoting accountability for extraordinary foreign government involvement in aiding fugitives to evade the U.S. justice system,” Blinken said.
The Oregonian reported in 2018 that the Saudi Arabian man accused of Smart’s murder likely escaped the country with Saudi government support.
A State Department official said,
“We cannot disclose the identities of individuals who are or may be subject to this policy” since visa records are confidential under U.S. law.
After State Department assurances to revoke visas of foreign nationals aiding those dodging prosecution or leaving the U.S. legal system, Oregon Senator Ron Wyden lifted his hold on Michael Ratney, the nominee for U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia.
“Today’s announcement of the ‘Fallon Smart Policy’ enshrines in U.S. policy the principle that there can be no room in America for foreign officials who help criminal suspects dodge the law,” Wyden added.
“This new State Department policy named for this young Portlander killed by a foreign national establishes genuine accountability for any foreign official who assists fugitives fleeing U.S. justice.”
