[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.
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