Taiwan Preclearance Act
Bill: S.3312 | Sponsor: Sen. Hawley, Josh (R-MO)
Policy area: Immigration

Summary:
Taiwan Preclearance Act
This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security to report to Congress on various issues, including (1) a plan for establishing a U.S. Customs and Border Protection preclearance facility in the Indo-Pacific region, (2) an analysis of the feasibility and advisability of establishing a preclearance facility in Taiwan, and (3) an assessment of the impact that a preclearance facility will have on trade and tourism between Taiwan and the United States.
(Preclearance facilities are stations in designated foreign airports that inspect travelers prior to boarding U.S.-bound flights.)

To analyze the impacts of establishing U.S. Customs and Border 
Protection Preclearance facilities in Taiwan and in other Indo-Pacific 
                               countries.

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

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Taiwan Preclearance Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) U.S. Customs and Border Protection preclearance 
        stations U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers and 
        specialists at foreign airports to inspect travelers prior to 
        boarding United States-bound flight.
            (2) More than 600 U.S. Customs and Border Protection 
        officers and specialists are stationed in Aruba, The Bahamas, 
        Bermuda, Canada, Ireland, and The United Arab Emirates.
            (3) A preclearance program at Taiwan's Taoyuan 
        International Airport (TPE) would signal Taiwan's importance to 
        the United States and compliance with international aviation 
        rules.
            (4) In 2012, the United States announced Taiwan's 
        designation for participation in the Visa Waiver Program, which 
        allows for Taiwanese passport holders to enter and remain in 
        the United States for up to 90 days obtaining a United States 
        visa.
            (5) In 2017, Taiwan became the third location in East Asia 
        and the 12th nation worldwide to be eligible for the Global 
        Entry program, which allows for expedited immigration and 
        customs clearance and pre-approval.

SEC. 3. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

    It is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) Taiwan is a steadfast partner of the United States in 
        the common pursuit of a free and open Indo-Pacific region; and
            (2) the United States should prioritize the establishment 
        of preclearance facilities and other security programs with 
        allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region, including 
        Taiwan.

SEC. 4. DEFINED TERM.

    The term ``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
            (1) the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental 
        Affairs of the Senate;
            (2) the Committee on Finance of the Senate;
            (3) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation 
        of the Senate;
            (4) the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of 
        Representatives; and
            (5) the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of 
        Representatives.

SEC. 5. REPORT.

    Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this 
Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the 
Secretary of Commerce, shall submit a report to the appropriate 
congressional committees that--
            (1) describes the plan for the establishment of a 
        preclearance facility in Taiwan or in other countries in the 
        Indo-Pacific region;
            (2) analyzes the feasibility and advisability for the 
        establishment of a preclearance facility in Taiwan;
            (3) assesses the impacts that preclearance operations in 
        Taiwan will have on--
                    (A) trade between the United States and Taiwan, 
                including the impact on established supply chains;
                    (B) the tourism industry in the United States, 
                including the potential impact on revenue and tourist-
                related commerce;
                    (C) United States and foreign passengers traveling 
                to the United States for business-related activities;
                    (D) cost savings and potential market access by 
                expanding operations into the Indo-Pacific region;
                    (E) opportunities for government-to-government 
                collaboration available in Taiwan after preclearance 
                operations are established; and
                    (F) U.S. Customs and Border Patrol international 
                and domestic port of entry staffing; and
            (4) includes country-specific information on the 
        anticipated homeland security benefits and the security 
        vulnerabilities associated with conducting preclearance 
        operations in Taiwan.
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