The reforms would make it easier to apply for the National Interest Waiver as an exception to the Labor Certificate.

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Instead he issued a "vital national interest" waiver, in effect, putting the country on notice that its anti-narcotics efforts do not meet U.S. standards.

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Although the State Department's decision was meant as a clear political message, Uzbekistan will still receive the funds allotted to it under a national-interest waiver.

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