Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
And my next guest, if you will pardon the obvious
pun is.
Speaker 2 (00:04):
A cut above, not just because.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
Her name is Mignon Houston and she is Deputy spokesperson
for the US Department of State, and she's been all
around the world and has a one of the few,
one of the few jobs and one of the few
careers that I might be just a little bit jealous
of with all of this travel and fascinating stuff.
Speaker 2 (00:23):
And it's just such a pleasure to have her on
the show. Mignon, Welcome to Koa. Thanks so much for
being here.
Speaker 3 (00:30):
Thank you Ross so much for having me.
Speaker 4 (00:32):
And to your listeners, you know you can come join
us as a US diplomat Foreign Service.
Speaker 3 (00:36):
Officer at any time. We would love to have you.
Speaker 1 (00:39):
All right, I got a lot of things I want
to get through with you when we only have six
or seven minutes.
Speaker 2 (00:43):
To do it.
Speaker 1 (00:44):
I would like to start with the State Department announcement
yesterday about security alert travel alert regarding Venezuela.
Speaker 2 (00:52):
What do we need to know?
Speaker 3 (00:54):
Absolutely? You know this is Sirius Ross.
Speaker 4 (00:57):
We are seeing just wrongfuled attentions and Venezuela more Americans have.
Speaker 3 (01:01):
Been wrongfully detained in any other country.
Speaker 4 (01:03):
We are warning US citizens, whether they're dual nationals, are
US citizens, legal permanent residents, do not travel to Venezuela.
There's no trip that's worth the price of your freedom.
We do not have the ability to support you if
you are in Venezuela. And so our security alert went
out to just make sure in this summer travel season
(01:24):
that Americans do not travel to Venezuela.
Speaker 2 (01:27):
So when you say your freedom does.
Speaker 1 (01:30):
Your research is in the right word, intelligence suggest that
Americans are at risk of being detained, taken captive, held,
as you know, for for ransom or prisoner transfer, something
that you know dictatorships do from time to time.
Speaker 3 (01:47):
All of the above.
Speaker 4 (01:48):
Ross, I mean, we've seen wrongful detentions, kidnappings, we've seen harassment.
It is just not worth it, right, and the horroring
stories that we hear from detainees that we have been
able to help get released. This administration has helped release
over forty wrongfully detained US citizens, not just from Venezuela,
but from around the world. It's an incredible leadership that
(02:11):
we're seeing. But we don't want to have to add
another name to that list. Yeah, right, And so we're
asking both not to travel to Venezuela.
Speaker 3 (02:18):
It is too dangerous.
Speaker 4 (02:19):
It's risky, and you'd be safe for all traveling somewhere else.
Speaker 1 (02:23):
All right, So folks, you've got that warning now and
you can read more of the details of it on
my blog at Rosskominski dot com, where I've got.
Speaker 2 (02:29):
Links to the State Department announcement. So, all right, Minya.
Speaker 1 (02:33):
On the other thing I want to ask you about,
and it's kind of a big story just in the
last twenty four hours or so, specifically regarding the State Department.
Speaker 2 (02:40):
And I'll just read the Reuters headline.
Speaker 1 (02:42):
Trump administration halts scheduling of new student visa appointments.
Speaker 2 (02:47):
Tell us what this is about, right.
Speaker 4 (02:50):
And so, look, this administration has been very serious from
the beginning that we are focused on US national security
and protecting American citizens. Are looking at sort of all
the tools that our disposal to ensure that when foreign
students are selected they get this visa, that they have
the right ideas in mind, that they're going to use
(03:10):
the visa correctly.
Speaker 3 (03:12):
And so we're just.
Speaker 4 (03:12):
Really taking a closer look at how we're processing these applications.
Speaker 3 (03:16):
And this is what this is.
Speaker 4 (03:18):
This is an opportunity for us to take our closer
look to ensure we're using all of the tools at
our disposal.
Speaker 3 (03:23):
And that's what that announcement was about.
Speaker 1 (03:25):
One of the things that I read, and maybe you
can either confirm or elaborate or whatever, is that one
of the things you're looking to do, given the age
in which we live, is to make sure that the
vetting process for people aiming to get student visas includes
more of a detailed look into their social media postings.
Speaker 2 (03:43):
Is that true? And can you say anything more? Yes?
Speaker 4 (03:47):
And actually we've always sort of looked at social media,
but we want an expand it look. We want to
make sure we are doing, as you mentioned, the best
vetting we can possible to keep our borders safe, our
national security in mind, and to keep American citizens safe.
I think every American citizen would want that, and that's
what we're doing.
Speaker 1 (04:06):
How do you think you guys will draw the line
between seeing a social media post that is objectionable, you know,
something you and I.
Speaker 2 (04:15):
Might not like.
Speaker 1 (04:15):
For example, I'm Jewish, and let's say somebody posts something
that's at least a little bit anti Semitic but not
necessarily calling for violence versus you know, if somebody calls
for violence and is you know, doing globalize the Intifada
on Facebook, obviously they shouldn't come to the United States.
Speaker 2 (04:31):
But where do you draw that line, right, And you know.
Speaker 4 (04:35):
That's a question for the experts Department of Homeland Security
and our agencies who are working together with the Department
of State to make those determinations.
Speaker 3 (04:43):
Really, what we are most focused on is.
Speaker 4 (04:46):
Ensuring that if you get this student visa that you
are coming with the purpose of studying, that you are
really going to come to the universities here of higher learning.
Some of the best universities in the world, hands down,
use the facilities, not hib students from using the laboratories
and the libraries and going to campus and using the
resources that we have in the United States.
Speaker 3 (05:08):
That are so critical to higher learning.
Speaker 4 (05:10):
And we want to make sure that when you come
up for that visa interview that that is exactly what
you're going to do, and that your history represents that.
Speaker 1 (05:19):
All right, I think I've got time for one more
with you, and I want to ask this question almost
as more of a personal question, but I know you're
here in your official capacity and you'll have to kind
of answer that way. But I noticed in your biography
that one of your postings has been South Africa. I've
been to South Africa three times myself. It's a spectacular
(05:40):
country with so much potential that has so many problems
right now. And I'm not looking to get into the whole,
you know, white genocide debate. I'm wondering, you know, what
do you think? What does the State Department think? Again,
I don't know if you're allowed to give a personal
answer here, but about South Africa, about US or relations
with South Africa, about your thoughts and hopes for that country,
(06:03):
because it is such a beautiful place with the nicest
people I've ever met, and yet maybe the worst crime
in the world.
Speaker 4 (06:11):
That's right, Ross, I mean, I served at the US
consulate in Cape Town, South Africa. It is it is beautiful,
hands down, But the crime, and we've heard it is
it is horrendous. You know what we're seeing here is
with the expropriation law, with the physical threats, the farms
that have been set on fire, the assaults, the death threats, and.
Speaker 3 (06:32):
The verbal attacks that are coming out as well.
Speaker 4 (06:35):
You really have a recipe that is causing Africaners to
not feel safe.
Speaker 3 (06:40):
And that's the reality.
Speaker 4 (06:41):
I think there is sometimes a misconception, if I may
that recognizing africana concerns means denying the history of apartheid,
and that's false. You know, you can acknowledge today's risk
without erasing yesterday's injustices.
Speaker 3 (06:58):
Both truths can be possible.
Speaker 4 (07:01):
And so I think what this administration is focused on
is really looking at the attacks, taking them seriously, taking
the concerns and the worries seriously, because they're they're founded,
they've been vetted, they meet the threshold for refugee status here.
And then the bigger issue is looking at South Africa's
you know, global politics. They're CosIng up to Iran, the
(07:23):
how they've been talking about Israel and our and our
and our partner and our allies, and we need to
reset this relationship with South Africa, and this is this
is a reset. We need to focus on where we
can work together on issues that are aligned and move
forward in a way that allows us to have a
strong relationship because what we have currently isn't where we
want to be.
Speaker 1 (07:43):
Mignon Houston as deputy spokesperson for the US Department of State,
it's been a pleasure having you on.
Speaker 2 (07:49):
I hope you'll come back.
Speaker 3 (07:51):
Thank you so much, Ros, and I look forward to
seeing you in DC as well.
Speaker 2 (07:54):
All Right, you got it, you will see me there
And my next guest, if you will pardon the obvious
pun is.
Speaker 2 (00:04):
A cut above, not just because.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
Her name is Mignon Houston and she is Deputy spokesperson
for the US Department of State, and she's been all
around the world and has a one of the few,
one of the few jobs and one of the few
careers that I might be just a little bit jealous
of with all of this travel and fascinating stuff.
Speaker 2 (00:23):
And it's just such a pleasure to have her on
the show. Mignon, Welcome to Koa. Thanks so much for
being here.
Speaker 3 (00:30):
Thank you Ross so much for having me.
Speaker 4 (00:32):
And to your listeners, you know you can come join
us as a US diplomat Foreign Service.
Speaker 3 (00:36):
Officer at any time. We would love to have you.
Speaker 1 (00:39):
All right, I got a lot of things I want
to get through with you when we only have six
or seven minutes.
Speaker 2 (00:43):
To do it.
Speaker 1 (00:44):
I would like to start with the State Department announcement
yesterday about security alert travel alert regarding Venezuela.
Speaker 2 (00:52):
What do we need to know?
Speaker 3 (00:54):
Absolutely? You know this is Sirius Ross.
Speaker 4 (00:57):
We are seeing just wrongfuled attentions and Venezuela more Americans have.
Speaker 3 (01:01):
Been wrongfully detained in any other country.
Speaker 4 (01:03):
We are warning US citizens, whether they're dual nationals, are
US citizens, legal permanent residents, do not travel to Venezuela.
There's no trip that's worth the price of your freedom.
We do not have the ability to support you if
you are in Venezuela. And so our security alert went
out to just make sure in this summer travel season
(01:24):
that Americans do not travel to Venezuela.
Speaker 2 (01:27):
So when you say your freedom does.
Speaker 1 (01:30):
Your research is in the right word, intelligence suggest that
Americans are at risk of being detained, taken captive, held,
as you know, for for ransom or prisoner transfer, something
that you know dictatorships do from time to time.
Speaker 3 (01:47):
All of the above.
Speaker 4 (01:48):
Ross, I mean, we've seen wrongful detentions, kidnappings, we've seen harassment.
It is just not worth it, right, and the horroring
stories that we hear from detainees that we have been
able to help get released. This administration has helped release
over forty wrongfully detained US citizens, not just from Venezuela,
but from around the world. It's an incredible leadership that
(02:11):
we're seeing. But we don't want to have to add
another name to that list. Yeah, right, And so we're
asking both not to travel to Venezuela.
Speaker 3 (02:18):
It is too dangerous.
Speaker 4 (02:19):
It's risky, and you'd be safe for all traveling somewhere else.
Speaker 1 (02:23):
All right, So folks, you've got that warning now and
you can read more of the details of it on
my blog at Rosskominski dot com, where I've got.
Speaker 2 (02:29):
Links to the State Department announcement. So, all right, Minya.
Speaker 1 (02:33):
On the other thing I want to ask you about,
and it's kind of a big story just in the
last twenty four hours or so, specifically regarding the State Department.
Speaker 2 (02:40):
And I'll just read the Reuters headline.
Speaker 1 (02:42):
Trump administration halts scheduling of new student visa appointments.
Speaker 2 (02:47):
Tell us what this is about, right.
Speaker 4 (02:50):
And so, look, this administration has been very serious from
the beginning that we are focused on US national security
and protecting American citizens. Are looking at sort of all
the tools that our disposal to ensure that when foreign
students are selected they get this visa, that they have
the right ideas in mind, that they're going to use
(03:10):
the visa correctly.
Speaker 3 (03:12):
And so we're just.
Speaker 4 (03:12):
Really taking a closer look at how we're processing these applications.
Speaker 3 (03:16):
And this is what this is.
Speaker 4 (03:18):
This is an opportunity for us to take our closer
look to ensure we're using all of the tools at
our disposal.
Speaker 3 (03:23):
And that's what that announcement was about.
Speaker 1 (03:25):
One of the things that I read, and maybe you
can either confirm or elaborate or whatever, is that one
of the things you're looking to do, given the age
in which we live, is to make sure that the
vetting process for people aiming to get student visas includes
more of a detailed look into their social media postings.
Speaker 2 (03:43):
Is that true? And can you say anything more? Yes?
Speaker 4 (03:47):
And actually we've always sort of looked at social media,
but we want an expand it look. We want to
make sure we are doing, as you mentioned, the best
vetting we can possible to keep our borders safe, our
national security in mind, and to keep American citizens safe.
I think every American citizen would want that, and that's
what we're doing.
Speaker 1 (04:06):
How do you think you guys will draw the line
between seeing a social media post that is objectionable, you know,
something you and I.
Speaker 2 (04:15):
Might not like.
Speaker 1 (04:15):
For example, I'm Jewish, and let's say somebody posts something
that's at least a little bit anti Semitic but not
necessarily calling for violence versus you know, if somebody calls
for violence and is you know, doing globalize the Intifada
on Facebook, obviously they shouldn't come to the United States.
Speaker 2 (04:31):
But where do you draw that line, right, And you know.
Speaker 4 (04:35):
That's a question for the experts Department of Homeland Security
and our agencies who are working together with the Department
of State to make those determinations.
Speaker 3 (04:43):
Really, what we are most focused on is.
Speaker 4 (04:46):
Ensuring that if you get this student visa that you
are coming with the purpose of studying, that you are
really going to come to the universities here of higher learning.
Some of the best universities in the world, hands down,
use the facilities, not hib students from using the laboratories
and the libraries and going to campus and using the
resources that we have in the United States.
Speaker 3 (05:08):
That are so critical to higher learning.
Speaker 4 (05:10):
And we want to make sure that when you come
up for that visa interview that that is exactly what
you're going to do, and that your history represents that.
Speaker 1 (05:19):
All right, I think I've got time for one more
with you, and I want to ask this question almost
as more of a personal question, but I know you're
here in your official capacity and you'll have to kind
of answer that way. But I noticed in your biography
that one of your postings has been South Africa. I've
been to South Africa three times myself. It's a spectacular
(05:40):
country with so much potential that has so many problems
right now. And I'm not looking to get into the whole,
you know, white genocide debate. I'm wondering, you know, what
do you think? What does the State Department think? Again,
I don't know if you're allowed to give a personal
answer here, but about South Africa, about US or relations
with South Africa, about your thoughts and hopes for that country,
(06:03):
because it is such a beautiful place with the nicest
people I've ever met, and yet maybe the worst crime
in the world.
Speaker 4 (06:11):
That's right, Ross, I mean, I served at the US
consulate in Cape Town, South Africa. It is it is beautiful,
hands down, But the crime, and we've heard it is
it is horrendous. You know what we're seeing here is
with the expropriation law, with the physical threats, the farms
that have been set on fire, the assaults, the death threats, and.
Speaker 3 (06:32):
The verbal attacks that are coming out as well.
Speaker 4 (06:35):
You really have a recipe that is causing Africaners to
not feel safe.
Speaker 3 (06:40):
And that's the reality.
Speaker 4 (06:41):
I think there is sometimes a misconception, if I may
that recognizing africana concerns means denying the history of apartheid,
and that's false. You know, you can acknowledge today's risk
without erasing yesterday's injustices.
Speaker 3 (06:58):
Both truths can be possible.
Speaker 4 (07:01):
And so I think what this administration is focused on
is really looking at the attacks, taking them seriously, taking
the concerns and the worries seriously, because they're they're founded,
they've been vetted, they meet the threshold for refugee status here.
And then the bigger issue is looking at South Africa's
you know, global politics. They're CosIng up to Iran, the
(07:23):
how they've been talking about Israel and our and our
and our partner and our allies, and we need to
reset this relationship with South Africa, and this is this
is a reset. We need to focus on where we
can work together on issues that are aligned and move
forward in a way that allows us to have a
strong relationship because what we have currently isn't where we
want to be.
Speaker 1 (07:43):
Mignon Houston as deputy spokesperson for the US Department of State,
it's been a pleasure having you on.
Speaker 2 (07:49):
I hope you'll come back.
Speaker 3 (07:51):
Thank you so much, Ros, and I look forward to
seeing you in DC as well.
Speaker 2 (07:54):
All Right, you got it, you will see me there
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