Austin News

U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and 11 other Republican colleagues have introduced the Visa Integrity Preservation Act. This legislation aims to close a loophole in current immigration law that the Biden-Harris administration used in June 2024 to grant amnesty to illegal immigrants who entered the United States without inspection or overstayed their visas.

“For almost four years, the Biden-Harris administration has waived their magic amnesty wand to create unlawful programs that allow any and every person to enter and stay in the U.S. – legally or not,” said Sen. Cornyn. “By strengthening the laws already on the books, our legislation would root out this massive pull factor while also preserving the integrity of our employment-based nonimmigrant visa program, and I’m grateful to my colleagues for their support.”

Senator Cruz criticized the administration's approach: “The Biden-Harris administration has failed to secure our southern border and politically exploits the crisis they’ve created. What they call their ‘keep families together’ agenda is being used as a loophole to allow illegal immigrants to bypass our legal immigration process, granting amnesty to 500,000 illegal aliens. We must send a clear message that the United States will not tolerate any manipulation of our immigration laws. That is why I am proud to join Senator Cornyn and my Republican colleagues to stop this exploitation of our immigration system.”

Senator Tillis echoed these sentiments: “The Biden-Harris Administration once again has shown their disregard for Congress and the law by issuing this policy. I am proud to co-sponsor Senator Cornyn’s legislation to close this Biden-Harris backdoor amnesty and prevent this Administration from abusing our immigration laws.”

Other senators voiced similar concerns about national security and legal integrity. Senator Crapo stated, “The Biden-Harris Administration’s failed inaction at the border has allowed for too many loopholes threatening our national security and giving leeway to those who enter our country illegally. It is imperative we close this loophole as Congress moves forward with addressing an issue ignored by the Administration for far too long.”

Senator Daines added, “Joe Biden and ‘Border Czar’ Kamala Harris have failed to secure the southern border, and Montanans are bearing the burden. The ‘Visa Integrity Preservation Act’ will stop the abuse of nonimmigrant visa programs and is a step in the right direction towards holding the Biden administration accountable.”

Current U.S. immigration laws do not permit illegal immigrants who overstay their visas or enter without inspection from reentering for up to 10 years if they leave voluntarily; those who enter illegally are barred from reentry altogether. The law requires temporary visa applicants to interview abroad at a U.S. consulate before receiving visas unless waived on a case-by-case basis due to national interest or emergencies.

In June 2024, President Biden and Vice President Harris announced an initiative granting amnesty to over half a million illegal immigrants by waiving consular interview requirements for nonimmigrant visas, allowing those who entered illegally or overstayed visas to obtain temporary work visas.

The Visa Integrity Preservation Act seeks amendments clarifying that individuals who entered illegally or overstayed more than 180 days are ineligible for waivers of consular interviews under all circumstances.

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