Secure Visas Act

Bill: 111-hr-4758
Sponsor: Rep. Smith, Lamar [R-TX-21]
Introduced: 2010-03-04 in the House
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Africa
Algeria
Asia
Canada
Colombia
Criminal justice information and records
Department of Homeland Security
Egypt
Europe
Germany
Government information and archives
Hong Kong
Indonesia
Iraq
Israel
Jordan
Judicial review and appeals
Kuwait
Latin America
Lebanon
Malaysia
Mexico
Middle East
Morocco
Nigeria
Pakistan
Philippines
Saudi Arabia
South Africa
Syria
Turkey
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
Venezuela
Visas and passports
Yemen

Summary:
action_date: 2010-03-04
text: 
Secure Visas Act - Amends the Homeland Security Act to grant the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) (Secretary), except for the Secretary of State's authority with respect to diplomatic- and international organization-related visas, exclusive authority to issue regulations, establish policy, and administer and enforce the provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and all other immigration or nationality laws relating to U.S. consular officer visa functions. 
 
Authorizes the Secretary to refuse or revoke any visa to an alien or class of aliens if necessary or advisable for U.S. security interests. Prohibits judicial review of such determinations. Provides that any such visa revocation shall become effective immediately and cancel any other visa in an alien's possession.
 
Authorizes the Secretary of State to direct a consular officer to refuse or revoke a visa if necessary or advisable for U.S. foreign policy interests. 
 
Prohibits a decision by the Secretary of State to approve a visa from overriding a revocation or refusal determination by the Secretary.
 
Directs the Secretary to review on-site all visa applications and supporting documentation before adjudication at visa-issuing posts in Algeria, Canada, Colombia, Egypt, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jerusalem and Tel Aviv in Israel, Jordan, Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, Kuwait, Lebanon, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Syria, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Venezuela, and Yemen. Authorizes the Secretary to assign DHS employees to such posts.
 
States that if the Secretary or the Secretary of State revokes a visa: (1) the relevant consular, law enforcement, and terrorist screening databases shall be immediately updated; and (2) look-out notices shall be posted to all DHS port inspectors and Department of State consular officers.
 
Amends INA to eliminate the exception permitting judicial review of a visa revocation where such revocation is the sole ground for a deportation process based upon an alien's unlawful presence in the United States.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2010-04-26
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law.
action_date: 2010-03-19
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Border, Maritime, and Global Counterterrorism.
action_date: 2010-03-04
text: Referred to House Homeland Security
action_date: 2010-03-04
text: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2010-03-04
text: Referred to House Judiciary
action_date: 2010-03-04
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2010-03-04
text: Introduced in House