Employees at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have been instructed to halt all work with foreign nationals as part of a directive from the US Department of Commerce.

The directive comes amid concerns over potential security risks posed by interactions between NOAA employees and individuals from other countries.

NOAA officials have stressed that the pause is temporary and that the agency is working to address any potential security issues.

Some employees have expressed frustration over the directive, arguing that it could impede important collaborations with international partners.

Others have welcomed the move, citing the need to prioritize national security and protect sensitive information.

NOAA is currently reviewing its policies and procedures to ensure compliance with the new directive.

Officials have not provided a timeline for when work with foreign nationals may resume.

In the meantime, employees are encouraged to reach out to agency leadership with any questions or concerns.

It remains to be seen how the directive will impact NOAA’s research and operations in the long term.