Modernizing Travel to the Marianas Act of 2017

To direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop and implement a fully automated electronic system for travel authorization for the Guam and Northern Mariana Islands visa waiver program, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Modernizing Travel to the Marianas Act of 2017 2. Electronic system for travel authorization for Guam and Northern Mariana Islands Visa Waiver Program Section 212(l) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1182(l) (7) Electronic system for travel authorization (A) System The Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State, shall develop and implement a fully automated electronic system for travel authorization (referred to in this paragraph as the System (B) Eligibility determination under the System Beginning on the date on which the System developed under subparagraph (A) is fully operational, each alien traveling under the program under this subsection shall, before applying for admission to Guam or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, electronically provide to the System biographical information and such other information as the Secretary of Homeland Security shall determine necessary to determine the eligibility of, and whether there exists a law enforcement or security risk in permitting, the alien to travel to Guam or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Upon review of such biographical information, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall determine whether the alien is eligible to travel to Guam or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands under the program. (C) Fees (i) In general Notwithstanding section 286(g), not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Modernizing Travel to the Marianas Act of 2017, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall establish a fee for the use of the System and begin assessment and collection of that fee. The initial fee shall be the sum of— (I) an amount that will ensure that the ports of entry in Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands are equipped with appropriate resources and staff, as determined by the Secretary; and (II) an amount that will at least ensure recovery of the full costs of providing the administering the System, as determined by the Secretary. (ii) Disposition of amounts collected Notwithstanding section 286(c), amounts collected under clause (i)(I) shall be made available to the Secretary of Homeland Security for the costs associated with operating the ports of entry in Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and amounts collected under clause (i)(II) shall be made available to the Secretary of Homeland Security for the costs associated with administering the System. Such amounts shall remain available until expended. .

Summary: Modernizing Travel to the Marianas Act of 2017 This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to direct the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to develop and implement a fully automated electronic travel authorization system to collect biographical and other information in order to determine, before travel, the eligibility of, and any law enforcement or security risk of permitting, an alien to travel to Guam or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. DHS shall establish and collect a fee for the use of such system. Such system shall be similar to the electronic system for travel authorization to the United States.