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II
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 Representa-
1
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
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SECTION 1. AUTOMATIC EXTENSION OF J–1 VISAS FOR U.S.
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AGENCY FOR GLOBAL MEDIA EMPLOYEES
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AND CONTRACTORS.
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(a) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subsection
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(b) and notwithstanding any other provision of law, any
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nonimmigrant visa issued to an alien described in section
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101(a)(15)(J) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8
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•S 4595 IS
U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(J)) (commonly known as a ‘‘J–1
1
visa’’) that expired during the 2-month period immediately
2
preceding the date of the enactment of this Act, or is
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scheduled to expire during the 90-day period beginning on
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such date of enactment shall automatically be extended
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until the date that is 90 days after such date of enactment
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if the alien to whom such visa was issued has a valid con-
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tract or employment agreement with the United States
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Agency for Global Media or any of its broadcasting net-
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works that, absent such visa expiration, would remain in
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effect during such extension period.
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(b) EXEMPTION.—Notwithstanding subsection (a),
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the Secretary of Homeland Security may deny the exten-
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sion of a J–1 visa under such subsection, on a case-by-
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case basis, if the Secretary—
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(1) determines that the alien to whom such visa
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was issued would pose a risk to the national security
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of the United States if such visa were to be ex-
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tended; and
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(2) provides a briefing to the Committee on
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Foreign Relations of the Senate, the Committee on
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the Judiciary of the Senate, the Committee on For-
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eign Affairs of the House of Representatives, and
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the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of
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•S 4595 IS
Representatives to explain the reasons for any such
1
determination.
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(c) CONGRESSIONAL BRIEFING.—Not later than 30
3
days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Chief
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Executive Officer of the United States Agency for Global
5
Media, accompanied by other appropriate senior leaders,
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shall provide a briefing to the Committee on Foreign Rela-
7
tions of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs
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of the House of Representatives that—
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(1) provides a case-by-case assessment of how
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the United States Agency for Global Media and its
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broadcasting networks have facilitated the employ-
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ment of foreign journalists with J–1 visas, including
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future plans to retain such journalists;
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(2) describes any threats to national security
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that any of these journalists may pose; and
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(3) identifies any circumstances involving the
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misuse of hiring authority with respect to such jour-
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nalists.
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