INA 104(a)

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INA: ACT 104 - POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE

Sec. 104. [8 U.S.C. 1104]
(a) The Secretary of State shall be charged with the administration and the enforcement of the
provisions of this Act and all other immigration and nationality laws relating to (1) the powers,
duties and functions of diplomatic and consular officers of the United States, except those powers,
duties and functions conferred upon the consular officers relating to the granting or refusal of
visas; (2) the powers, duties and functions of the Administrator; and (3) the determination of
nationality of a pe rson not in the United States. He shall establish such regulations; prescribe
such forms of reports, entries and other papers; issue such instructions; and perform such other
acts as he deems necessary for carrying out such provisions. He is authorized to confer or
impose upon any employee of the United States, with the consent of the head of the department
or independent establishment under whose jurisdiction the employee is serving, any of the
powers, functions, or duties conferred or imposed by this Act or regulations issued thereunder
upon officers or employees of the Department of State or of the American Foreign Service.
(b) The Secretary of State shall designate an Administrator who shall be a citizen of the United
States, qualified by experience. The Administrator shall maintain close liaison with the appropriate
committees of Congress in order that they may be advised regarding the administration of this Act
by consular officers. The Administrator shall be charged with any and all responsibility and
authority in the administration of this Act which are conferred on the Secretary of State as may be
delegated to the Administrator by the Secretary of State or which may be prescribed by the
Secretary of State, and shall perform such other duties as the Secretary of State may prescribe.
(c) Within the Department of State there shall be a Passport Office, a Visa Office, and such other
offices as the Secretary of State may deem to be appropriate, each office to be headed by a
director. The Directors of the Passport Office and the Visa Office shall be experienced in the
administration of the nationality and immigration laws.
(d) The functions heretofore performed by the Passport Division and the Visa Division of the
Department of State shall hereafter be performed by the Passport Office and the Visa Office,
respectively.

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(e) There shall be a General Counsel of the Visa Office, who shall be appointed by the Secretary
of State and who shall serve under the general direction of the Legal Adviser of the Department of
State. The General Counsel shall have authority to maintain liaison with the appropriate officers of
the Service with a view to securing uniform interpretations of the provisions of this Act.

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