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.

Bill: 116-s-4595
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
Introduced: 2020-09-16
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Congressional oversight

Employee hiring

Foreign labor

Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management

News media and reporting

U.S. Agency for Global Media

Visas and passports
Latest action: action_date: 2020-09-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Summaries:
action_date: 2020-09-16
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p>

tv_txt: II 116th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 4595 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. 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.