The most stressful job for the United States Secret Service is when a protectee travels abroad. The uncertainties and challenges are far greater overseas.

Unlike at home, on foreign visits, the Secret Service does not have supreme authority for the security surrounding its protectees and cannot rely upon the long-standing professional and cultural relationships that characterize its engagement with domestic law enforcement partners. On foreign visits, the Secret Service has limited means of knowing who is getting close to its protectees and what threats they might pose.