Title: 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.
Policy area: Immigration

Summary:
This bill provides an automatic extension for certain J-1 (exchange visitor) visas if the visa holder has a contract or employment agreement with the U.S. Agency for Global Media, the agency that operates U.S. government media outlets such as Voice of America and Radio Free Asia.
Specifically, if such a J-1 visa expires during the two-month period before this bill's enactment or the 90-day period after, the visa shall remain valid until the end of the 90-day period. The Department of Homeland Security may deny an extension on a case-by-case basis if it (1) determines that extending a particular visa would pose a national security risk, and (2) explains the reasons for the determination to Congress.

[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 4595 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

<DOC>






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.

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

SECTION 1. AUTOMATIC EXTENSION OF J-1 VISAS FOR U.S. AGENCY FOR GLOBAL 
              MEDIA EMPLOYEES AND CONTRACTORS.

    (a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b) and 
notwithstanding any other provision of law, any nonimmigrant visa 
issued to an alien described in section 101(a)(15)(J) of the 
Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(J)) (commonly 
known as a ``J-1 visa'') that expired during the 2-month period 
immediately preceding the date of the enactment of this Act, or is 
scheduled to expire during the 90-day period beginning on such date of 
enactment shall automatically be extended until the date that is 90 
days after such date of enactment if the alien to whom such visa was 
issued has a valid contract or employment agreement with the United 
States Agency for Global Media or any of its broadcasting networks 
that, absent such visa expiration, would remain in effect during such 
extension period.
    (b) Exemption.--Notwithstanding subsection (a), the Secretary of 
Homeland Security may deny the extension of a J-1 visa under such 
subsection, on a case-by-case basis, if the Secretary--
            (1) determines that the alien to whom such visa was issued 
        would pose a risk to the national security of the United States 
        if such visa were to be extended; and
            (2) provides a briefing to the Committee on Foreign 
        Relations of the Senate, the Committee on the Judiciary of the 
        Senate, the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of 
        Representatives, and the Committee on the Judiciary of the 
        House of Representatives to explain the reasons for any such 
        determination.
    (c) Congressional Briefing.--Not later than 30 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Chief Executive Officer of the United 
States Agency for Global Media, accompanied by other appropriate senior 
leaders, shall provide a briefing to the Committee on Foreign Relations 
of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of 
Representatives that--
            (1) provides a case-by-case assessment of how the United 
        States Agency for Global Media and its broadcasting networks 
        have facilitated the employment of foreign journalists with J-1 
        visas, including future plans to retain such journalists;
            (2) describes any threats to national security that any of 
        these journalists may pose; and
            (3) identifies any circumstances involving the misuse of 
        hiring authority with respect to such journalists.
                                 <all>