Riyadh -  A senior official at the U.S. Embassy in Yemen has denied recent reports claiming that the embassy confiscates the passports of American citizens of Yemeni origin for unknown reasons, emphasizing that all procedures are conducted in accordance with U.S. law governing the issuance of official documents.

In an statement to YemenOnline , the source said:

“The U.S. Department of State is committed to protecting the national security of the United States while providing the highest level of service to our passport applicants.”

The official explained that consular officers at U.S. embassies and consulates are responsible for asking questions and reviewing documentation to determine an applicant’s eligibility for a U.S. passport under American law.

He added that original documents  including passports  are generally retained only temporarily during the application review process, for the purpose of verifying identity or citizenship claims, and not for any other reason.

“We appreciate those who have reached out to us in good faith and encourage continued communication with the embassy.” the US source  concluded .