[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 108 (Tuesday, June 22, 2021)]
[House]
[Pages H2982-H2983]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         ADVANCING MUTUAL INTERESTS AND GROWING OUR SUCCESS ACT

  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 2571) to include Portugal in the list of foreign states 
whose nationals are eligible for admission into the United States as E-
1 and E-2 nonimmigrants if United States nationals are treated 
similarly by the Government of Portugal and to otherwise modify the 
eligibility criteria for E visas, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 2571

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLES.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Advancing Mutual Interests 
     and Growing Our Success Act'' or the ``AMIGOS Act''.

     SEC. 2. NONIMMIGRANT TRADERS AND INVESTORS.

       For purposes of clauses (i) and (ii) of section 
     101(a)(15)(E) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 
     U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(E)), Portugal shall be considered to be a 
     foreign state described in such section if the Government of 
     Portugal provides similar nonimmigrant status to nationals of 
     the United States.

     SEC. 3. MODIFICATION OF ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR E VISAS.

       Section 101(a)(15)(E) of the Immigration and Nationality 
     Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(E)) is amended--
       (1) in the matter preceding clause (i)--
       (A) by inserting ``(or, in the case of an alien who 
     acquired the relevant nationality through a financial 
     investment and who has not previously been granted status 
     under this subparagraph, the foreign state of which the alien 
     is a national and in which the alien has been domiciled for a 
     continuous period of not less than 3 years at any point 
     before applying for a nonimmigrant visa under this 
     subparagraph)'' before ``, and the spouse''; and
       (B) by striking ``him'' and inserting ``such alien''; and
       (2) by striking ``he'' each place such term appears and 
     inserting ``the alien''.

     SEC. 4. DETERMINATION OF BUDGETARY EFFECTS.

       The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of 
     complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall 
     be determined by reference to the latest statement titled 
     ``Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation'' for this Act, 
     submitted for printing in the Congressional Record by the 
     Chairman of the House Budget Committee, provided that such 
     statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Nadler) and the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Bishop) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York.


                             General Leave

  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include 
extraneous material on H.R. 2571.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New York?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2571, the Advancing Mutual Interests and Growing 
Our Success Act, or AMIGOS Act, would allow citizens of Portugal to 
participate in the E-1 and E-2 visa programs for traders and investors 
if Portugal provides reciprocal treatment to U.S. citizens.
  The E-1 Treaty Trader program provides temporary visas to individuals 
or employees of firms that engage in substantial trade with the United 
States.
  The E-2 Treaty Investor program provides visas to individuals so that 
they can develop and direct the operations of an enterprise in which 
they have invested a substantial amount of capital.
  The United States became Portugal's largest trading partner outside 
the European Union in 2015. Bilateral trade between our counties is 
growing at a rapid pace, from $4.2 billion in 2015 to $8.9 billion in 
2019.
  Unlike most European Union countries, Portugal did not have a 
bilateral treaty with the United States before joining the European 
Union. Now, despite being one of our closest allies and closest 
economic partners, they are one of only five European Union countries 
whose citizens are not eligible for E-1 and E-2 visas.
  This is a bipartisan measure that we can all support. The bill simply 
would expand opportunities for Portuguese citizens to invest in the 
United States, facilitate trade, and create jobs for U.S. workers.
  The bill also strengthens the E visa programs by ensuring that 
individuals who obtain the nationality of a treaty country through an 
investment-based visa have sufficient ties to their new country of 
nationality before they can qualify for an E-1 or E-2 visa.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Cicilline) 
for championing this issue and working across the aisle to build 
consensus on this legislation. H.R. 2571 will improve our economy and 
strengthen our ties with an important and longstanding ally.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the bill, and I reserve 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. BISHOP of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time 
as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2571, the Advancing Mutual 
Interests and Growing Our Success Act, or the AMIGOS Act.
  The bill makes nationals of Portugal eligible for E-1 and E-2 
nonimmigrant visas, as long as Portugal allows reciprocal visas for 
U.S. nationals. E-1 visas are temporary visas available for treaty 
traders, and E-2 visas are available for treaty investors.
  As stated in the Immigration and Nationality Act, these visas are 
available to aliens who are ``entitled to enter the United States under 
and in pursuance of the provisions of a treaty of commerce and 
navigation between the United States and the foreign state of which the 
alien is a national, and their spouse and children solely to either 
carry on substantial trade, including trade in services or trade in 
technology, principally between the United States and the foreign state 
of which the alien is a national, or to develop and direct the 
operations of an enterprise in which the alien has invested a 
substantial amount of capital.''

[[Page H2983]]

  Alien employees of treaty traders and treaty investors may receive 
visas if they are coming to the United States ``to engage in duties of 
an executive or supervisory character; or, if employed in a lesser 
capacity, if they have special qualifications that make the services to 
be rendered essential to the efficient operation of the enterprise.''
  E-1 and E-2 visa holders may be admitted initially for a period of 2 
years, and can apply for extensions in 2-year increments.
  The U.S. has entered into treaties of commerce since at least 1815, 
when we entered into a Convention to Regulate Commerce with the United 
Kingdom. Currently, the nationals of 82 countries are eligible for E-1 
and/or E-2 visa status.

                              {time}  1645

  During fiscal year 2020, almost 26,800 E-1 and E-2 visas were issued, 
down because of the pandemic from roughly 50,000 during fiscal year 
2019.
  While the AMIGOS Act passed the House last Congress, the version we 
are considering today is somewhat different. The updated text includes 
language, added at the request of Senator Lee from Utah, aimed at 
preventing abuse of the E visa program whereby an individual 
essentially purchases citizenship in a U.S. trade treaty country simply 
to be eligible to get a U.S. E visa. Specifically, the language 
requires that an alien be domiciled in the U.S. trade treaty country 
for at least 3 years before the individual can apply for an E visa.
  I thank Senator Lee for his commitment to ensuring the integrity of 
our visa programs.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished 
gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Cicilline).
  Mr. CICILLINE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New York, the 
chair of the Judiciary Committee, for bringing this bill to the floor.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2571, the Advancing Mutual 
Interests and Growing Our Success Act, or the AMIGOS Act.
  The AMIGOS Act is a bipartisan bill that I introduced along with my 
colleagues Mr. Costa, Mr. Keating, Mr. Valadao, and Mr. Khanna to 
encourage greater investment and trade between the United States and 
Portugal.
  H.R. 2571 makes Portuguese nationals eligible for E-1 and E-2 
nonimmigrant investor visas. Extending visas to Portugal not only gives 
Portuguese businesses an opportunity to invest in the United States, 
but it is a mutually beneficial relationship that promotes jobs in both 
countries and growth in United States businesses and our economy.
  The United States has no better friend than the country of Portugal. 
As one of the first countries to recognize the United States after the 
Revolutionary War, Portugal is one of our closest economic partners and 
strongest allies. Today, the United States maintains that longstanding 
relationship as the fifth-largest export market for Portugal and its 
largest trading partner outside of the European Union.
  I am proud to represent the First District of Rhode Island, home to 
one of the country's largest and most vibrant Portuguese communities, a 
community that has made outstanding contributions in the arts, culture, 
business, and public service in this country for many decades.
  The United States is Portugal's largest trading partner outside the 
European Union, with bilateral trade reaching $6.6 billion in 2019. 
There are currently over 130 American companies operating in Portugal 
in a wide range of economic sectors, including pharmaceutical, 
chemical, technology, banking, and health sectors.
  In 2019, the United States' direct investment position in Portugal 
was $2.3 billion, an increase of 6 percent from 2018. The direct 
investment position from Portugal in the United States, however, 
experienced a 1 percent decrease to $1.4 billion from 2018 to 2019.
  Portugal is one of only five EU countries whose citizens are not 
currently eligible for E-1 or E-2 visas. In the absence of a bilateral 
treaty, which Portugal cannot enter due to the rules of the European 
Union, Congress has the power to authorize E-1 and E-2 visa benefits to 
other countries. We have exercised our authority to do so for both 
Israel in 2012 and New Zealand in 2018.
  I am proud to lead this effort to support our ally and friend, 
Portugal. I encourage my colleagues to support H.R. 2571, the AMIGOS 
Act, and I again thank Mr. Nadler for bringing the bill to the floor.
  Mr. BISHOP of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to 
support the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, the AMIGOS Act is bipartisan legislation 
that would improve our economy and strengthen our ties with an 
important and longstanding ally.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support the bill, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Nadler) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 2571, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. ROSENDALE. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 3(s) of House Resolution 
8, the yeas and nays are ordered.
  Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this motion 
are postponed.

                          ____________________