Summary of Requirements Pertaining to the Arrest and Detention of Foreign Nationals
1.	When foreign nationals are arrested or detained, they must be advised of the right to have their consular officials notified.
2.	In some cases, the nearest consular officials must be notified of the arrest or detention of a foreign national, regardless of the national's wishes.
3.	Consular officials are entitled to access to their nationals in detention, and are entitled to provide consular assistance.
These are mutual obligations that also pertain to American citizens abroad. In general, you should treat a foreign national as you would like an American citizen to be treated in a similar situation in a foreign country. This means prompt, courteous notification to the foreign national of the possibility of consular assistance, and prompt, courteous notification to the foreign national's nearest consular officials so that they can provide whatever consular services they deem appropriate. For detailed legal information regarding the arrest/detention of Foreign National, click here.

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