Steps to Follow When a Foreign National Is Arrested or Detained
1.	Determine the foreign national's country. In the absence of other information, assume this is the country on whose passport or other travel document the foreign national travels.
2.	If the foreign national's country is not on the mandatory notification list on the next page:
	Offer, without delay, to notify the foreign national's consular officials of the arrest or detention. For a suggested statement to the foreign national, see below. Translations of the statement into selected foreign languages are available as well. If the foreign national asks that consular notification be given, notify the nearest consular officials of the foreign national's country without delay. For phone and fax numbers of foreign embassies and consulates in the United States, see the directory below. We have created a suggested fax sheet for making the notification. (*SEE NOTE AT BOTTOM OF PAGE).
3.	If the foreign national's country is on the list of mandatory notification countries on the next page:
Notify that country's nearest consular officials, without delay, of the arrest/detention. Phone and fax numbers are set forth below and you may use the suggested fax sheet for making the notification. Tell the foreign national that you are making this notification. A suggested statement to the foreign national is found below along with translations into selected languages.
4.	Keep a written record of the provision of notification and actions taken.
*NOTE: The fax link on this page is in pdf format. You will need the Adobe Acrobat Reader to read this document. The document will print clearly although it may look small on your screen. Use the magnifying glass option in the Acrobat menu to enlarge the print for online reading. Back to Top