II 

116TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. 4595 

To temporarily extend the period of validity of J–1 visas issued to employees 

and contractors of the United States Agency for Global Media and 

its broadcasting networks. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

SEPTEMBER 16, 2020 

Mr. MERKLEY introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred 

to the Committee on the Judiciary 

A BILL 

To temporarily extend the period of validity of J–1 visas 

issued to employees and contractors of the United States 

Agency for Global Media and its broadcasting networks. 

1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 

3 SECTION 1. AUTOMATIC EXTENSION OF J–1 VISAS FOR U.S. 

4 AGENCY FOR GLOBAL MEDIA EMPLOYEES 

5 AND CONTRACTORS. 

6 (a) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subsection 

7 (b) and notwithstanding any other provision of law, any 

8 nonimmigrant visa issued to an alien described in section 

9 101(a)(15)(J) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 


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•S 4595 IS

1 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(J)) (commonly known as a ‘‘J–1 

2 visa’’) that expired during the 2-month period immediately 

3 preceding the date of the enactment of this Act, or is 

4 scheduled to expire during the 90-day period beginning on 

5 such date of enactment shall automatically be extended 

6 until the date that is 90 days after such date of enactment 

7 if the alien to whom such visa was issued has a valid con8 tract or employment agreement with the United States 

9 Agency for Global Media or any of its broadcasting net10 works that, absent such visa expiration, would remain in 

11 effect during such extension period. 

12 (b) EXEMPTION.—Notwithstanding subsection (a), 

13 the Secretary of Homeland Security may deny the exten14 sion of a J–1 visa under such subsection, on a case-by15 case basis, if the Secretary— 

16 (1) determines that the alien to whom such visa 

17 was issued would pose a risk to the national security 

18 of the United States if such visa were to be ex19 tended; and 

20 (2) provides a briefing to the Committee on 

21 Foreign Relations of the Senate, the Committee on 

22 the Judiciary of the Senate, the Committee on For23 eign Affairs of the House of Representatives, and 

24 the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of 


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1 Representatives to explain the reasons for any such 

2 determination. 

3 (c) CONGRESSIONAL BRIEFING.—Not later than 30 

4 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Chief 

5 Executive Officer of the United States Agency for Global 

6 Media, accompanied by other appropriate senior leaders, 

7 shall provide a briefing to the Committee on Foreign Rela8 tions of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs 

9 of the House of Representatives that— 

10 (1) provides a case-by-case assessment of how 

11 the United States Agency for Global Media and its 

12 broadcasting networks have facilitated the employ13 ment of foreign journalists with J–1 visas, including 

14 future plans to retain such journalists; 

15 (2) describes any threats to national security 

16 that any of these journalists may pose; and 

17 (3) identifies any circumstances involving the 

18 misuse of hiring authority with respect to such jour19 nalists. 

Æ 


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