A bill to authorize the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of State to refuse or revoke visas to aliens if in the security or foreign policy interests of the United States, to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to review all visa applications before adjudication, and to provide for the immediate dissemination of visa revocation information.

Summary

Amends the Homeland Security Act to authorize the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) 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. Authorizes the Secretary of State (Secretary) 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 to approve a visa from overriding a revocation or refusal determination by the Secretary of Homeland Security. Provides that the Secretary of Homeland Security: (1) shall review all visa applications and supporting documentation before adjudication; (2) shall have sole authority to issue, refuse, and revoke visas in Algeria, Canada, Egypt, Germany, Great Britain, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Syria, Turkey, Venezuela, and Yemen; and (3) may designate additional consular posts and embassies for on-site personnel to review visa applications if national or homeland security interests warrant such designation. States that if the Secretary of Homeland Security or the Secretary 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.

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Timeline

1. 21 January 2010

   Introduced

   Introduced in Senate

   Source: IntroReferral

2. 21 January 2010

   Introduced

   Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

   Source: IntroReferral

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

• Introduced in Senate · 21 January 2010 · Official file

Documents

3 official files

• Introduced in Senate (text)

  Introduced in Senate · EN · 21 January 2010

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Introduced in Senate (PDF)

  Introduced in Senate · EN · 21 January 2010

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Introduced in Senate

  summary · EN · 21 January 2010

  Open at official source

Sponsors

• John Cornyn · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Hutchison, Kay Bailey [R-TX] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Vitter, David [R-LA] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Chambliss, Saxby [R-GA] · R · Sponsor
• Rep. Roberts, Pat [R-KS-1] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. LeMieux, George S. [R-FL] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Isakson, Johnny [R-GA] · R · Sponsor
• · hshm00 · Standing
• · ssju00 · Standing

Related records

• related to → Secure Visas Act
• related to ← Secure Visas Act