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To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide for new procedures pertaining to the processing of petitions and applications for immigrant or nonimmigrant visas, and for other purposes.

USA115th CongressHR-1125| House 
| Updated: 3/7/2017
Jim Banks

Jim Banks

Republican Representative

Indiana

Homeland Security Committee, Border Security and Enforcement Subcommittee, Judiciary Committee, Counterterrorism and Intelligence Subcommittee, Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement Subcommittee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Visa Investigation and Social Media Activity Act of 2017 or the VISA Act of 2017 This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to prohibit a petition or application filed with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or with a consular officer for the issuance of a visa or the admission of an alien from being approved unless a background check to determine whether the alien is a national security threat or is otherwise ineligible for such visa or admission is completed for: (1) the petitioner or applicant, and (2) each beneficiary or derivative of the petition or application. Such background check shall include a review of the alien's publicly available interactions on, and posting of material to, the Internet (including social media services). An applicant must provide an English translation of his or her documentation. No petition or application for any immigration benefit, except for work authorization, may be approved for an alien who is at least 11 years old unless DHS conducts an in-person interview with such alien. DHS shall begin implementation of an analytics software plan to detect fraud in immigration benefits applications and petitions and to ensure that an applicant or petitioner does not pose a national security threat. The bill requires the deployment of DHS employees to all visa-issuing embassies and consulates.
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Timeline
Feb 16, 2017
Introduced in House
Feb 16, 2017
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Mar 6, 2017
Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security.
Mar 7, 2017
Referred to the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence.
Mar 7, 2017
Referred to the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security.
  • February 16, 2017
    Introduced in House


  • February 16, 2017
    Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.


  • March 6, 2017
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security.


  • March 7, 2017
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence.


  • March 7, 2017
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security.

Immigration

Administrative remediesCongressional oversightCriminal justice information and recordsDepartment of Homeland SecurityDiplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroadFamily relationshipsForeign language and bilingual programsFraud offenses and financial crimesGovernment employee pay, benefits, personnel managementGovernment studies and investigationsImmigration status and proceduresInternet and video servicesInternet, web applications, social mediaRefugees, asylum, displaced personsVisas and passports

To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide for new procedures pertaining to the processing of petitions and applications for immigrant or nonimmigrant visas, and for other purposes.

USA115th CongressHR-1125| House 
| Updated: 3/7/2017
Visa Investigation and Social Media Activity Act of 2017 or the VISA Act of 2017 This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to prohibit a petition or application filed with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or with a consular officer for the issuance of a visa or the admission of an alien from being approved unless a background check to determine whether the alien is a national security threat or is otherwise ineligible for such visa or admission is completed for: (1) the petitioner or applicant, and (2) each beneficiary or derivative of the petition or application. Such background check shall include a review of the alien's publicly available interactions on, and posting of material to, the Internet (including social media services). An applicant must provide an English translation of his or her documentation. No petition or application for any immigration benefit, except for work authorization, may be approved for an alien who is at least 11 years old unless DHS conducts an in-person interview with such alien. DHS shall begin implementation of an analytics software plan to detect fraud in immigration benefits applications and petitions and to ensure that an applicant or petitioner does not pose a national security threat. The bill requires the deployment of DHS employees to all visa-issuing embassies and consulates.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

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Timeline
Feb 16, 2017
Introduced in House
Feb 16, 2017
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Mar 6, 2017
Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security.
Mar 7, 2017
Referred to the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence.
Mar 7, 2017
Referred to the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security.
  • February 16, 2017
    Introduced in House


  • February 16, 2017
    Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.


  • March 6, 2017
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security.


  • March 7, 2017
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence.


  • March 7, 2017
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security.
Jim Banks

Jim Banks

Republican Representative

Indiana

Homeland Security Committee, Border Security and Enforcement Subcommittee, Judiciary Committee, Counterterrorism and Intelligence Subcommittee, Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement Subcommittee

Immigration

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Administrative remediesCongressional oversightCriminal justice information and recordsDepartment of Homeland SecurityDiplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroadFamily relationshipsForeign language and bilingual programsFraud offenses and financial crimesGovernment employee pay, benefits, personnel managementGovernment studies and investigationsImmigration status and proceduresInternet and video servicesInternet, web applications, social mediaRefugees, asylum, displaced personsVisas and passports