This bill aims to bolster national security by creating a new category of individuals deemed inadmissible to and deportable from the United States. Specifically, it targets close relatives of covered foreign threat actors , preventing them from obtaining visas, lawful permanent residence, or other immigration benefits, and facilitating their removal if already present in the country. The legislation defines a "covered foreign threat actor" broadly to include individuals designated as global terrorists, senior leaders of foreign terrorist organizations, senior officials of state sponsors of terrorism or foreign adversaries like China and Russia, and those sanctioned for significant corruption or human rights abuses tied to hostile foreign governments. A "covered family member" encompasses a wide range of relatives, including spouses, parents, children, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. A key provision of the bill is its retroactive application , meaning it applies regardless of when the family relationship was formed or when the foreign threat actor was designated. It amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to make these individuals inadmissible and deportable, ensuring that current provisions related to terrorism are not construed to limit this new ground. Furthermore, the bill mandates that the Secretary of State revoke any visa or other documentation issued to an alien determined to be inadmissible under these new provisions within 30 days. Aliens within the United States who meet these criteria will be subject to removal proceedings, with the Secretary of Homeland Security required to prioritize their removal. Crucially, individuals deemed inadmissible under this act are explicitly ineligible for any form of discretionary relief from removal, such as cancellation of removal or adjustment of status. The bill also requires the Secretaries of State and Homeland Security to implement enhanced screening procedures within 180 days to identify these family relationships using intelligence and law enforcement databases. Finally, the legislation mandates an annual report to Congress detailing the number of aliens found inadmissible, visas revoked, removals carried out, and any waivers granted, along with their justifications. This ensures ongoing oversight and transparency regarding the bill's impact and enforcement.
This bill aims to bolster national security by creating a new category of individuals deemed inadmissible to and deportable from the United States. Specifically, it targets close relatives of covered foreign threat actors , preventing them from obtaining visas, lawful permanent residence, or other immigration benefits, and facilitating their removal if already present in the country. The legislation defines a "covered foreign threat actor" broadly to include individuals designated as global terrorists, senior leaders of foreign terrorist organizations, senior officials of state sponsors of terrorism or foreign adversaries like China and Russia, and those sanctioned for significant corruption or human rights abuses tied to hostile foreign governments. A "covered family member" encompasses a wide range of relatives, including spouses, parents, children, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. A key provision of the bill is its retroactive application , meaning it applies regardless of when the family relationship was formed or when the foreign threat actor was designated. It amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to make these individuals inadmissible and deportable, ensuring that current provisions related to terrorism are not construed to limit this new ground. Furthermore, the bill mandates that the Secretary of State revoke any visa or other documentation issued to an alien determined to be inadmissible under these new provisions within 30 days. Aliens within the United States who meet these criteria will be subject to removal proceedings, with the Secretary of Homeland Security required to prioritize their removal. Crucially, individuals deemed inadmissible under this act are explicitly ineligible for any form of discretionary relief from removal, such as cancellation of removal or adjustment of status. The bill also requires the Secretaries of State and Homeland Security to implement enhanced screening procedures within 180 days to identify these family relationships using intelligence and law enforcement databases. Finally, the legislation mandates an annual report to Congress detailing the number of aliens found inadmissible, visas revoked, removals carried out, and any waivers granted, along with their justifications. This ensures ongoing oversight and transparency regarding the bill's impact and enforcement.