117 HR 4361 IH: To prohibit the issuance of F or J visas to researchers affiliated with the Chinese People’s Liberation Army. U.S. House of Representatives 2021-07-06 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I117th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 4361IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJuly 6, 2021Mr. Gallagher (for himself and Mrs. Hartzler) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, 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 concernedA BILLTo prohibit the issuance of F or J visas to researchers affiliated with the Chinese People’s Liberation Army.

1.

Visa ban on researchers affiliated with the PLA

(a)

Identification of PLA-Supported institutions

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the President shall publish a list identifying the research, engineering, and scientific institutions that the President determines are affiliated with, or funded by, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army.(b)

Form of submission

The list submitted under subsection (a) shall be unclassified and publicly accessible, but may include a classified annex.(c)

Exclusion from United States

Except as provided in subsections (e) and (f), the Secretary of State may not issue a visa under subparagraph (F) or (J) of section 101(a)(15) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)), and the Secretary of Homeland Security may not admit, parole into the United States, or otherwise provide nonimmigrant status under such subparagraphs, to any alien who is employed, sponsored, or funded by any entity identified on the most recently published list under subsection (a).(d)

Inquiry

Before issuing a visa referred to in subsection (c) to a national of China, the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Homeland Security, a consular officer, or a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer shall ask the alien seeking such visa if the alien is employed, funded, or otherwise sponsored by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army or any of the affiliated institutions identified on the most recently published list under subsection (a).(e)

Exception To comply with United Nations headquarters agreement

Subsection (c) shall not apply to an individual if admitting the individual to the United States is necessary to permit the United States to comply with the Agreement between the United Nations and the United States of America regarding the Headquarters of the United Nations, signed June 26, 1947, and entered into force November 21, 1947, and other applicable international obligations.(f)

National security waiver

The President, or a designee of the President, may waive the application of subsection (c) if the President or such designee certifies in writing to the appropriate congressional committees that such waiver is in the national security interest of the United States.

2.

Security Advisory Opinion requirement

A consular officer shall request a Security Advisory Opinion (commonly known as a Visa Mantis) with respect to any national of the People’s Republic of China who applies for a nonimmigrant visa—(1)under section 101(a)(15)(F) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(F)) for graduate study in a field related to an item on the Commerce Control List (maintained pursuant to part 744 of the Export Administration Regulations); or(2)under section 101(a)(15)(J) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(J)) to conduct research on, or to participate in a program in a field related to, an item on the list referred to in paragraph (1).

3.

Sense of Congress

It is the sense of Congress that Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom should take measures similar to the measures outlined in section 1 to address security concerns posed by researchers and scientists affiliated with, or funded by, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army.