From AOPA ePilot Vol 4 Issue 31.
BACKGROUND CHECKS NOW REQUIRED FOR SOME FOREIGN PILOTS
The FAA has issued a new procedure that requires all foreign pilots to submit to background checks before the agency will issue a U.S. private pilot certificate based on a pilot license issued by another country. The new regulations lift an emergency suspension imposed just over a week ago because
of national security concerns, which barred the FAA from issuing pilot certificates to foreign pilots. See
http://www.aopa.org/whatsnew/newsite...02-3-053x.html