Temporary Family Visitation Act
Summary
The Temporary Family Visitation Act introduces a new nonimmigrant visa category, allowing alien relatives of US citizens and lawful permanent residents to visit the United States temporarily for family purposes. This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to establish this new visa category and sets specific requirements for eligibility. The visa would allow visits for social, occasional, major life, or religious events, with a maximum stay of 90 days per calendar year.
Expected Effects
The primary effect of this act would be to facilitate easier and more regulated temporary family visits to the US. It establishes clear guidelines for who qualifies, the duration of stay, and the responsibilities of both the visitor and the petitioning US resident. This could lead to increased family reunions and potential economic benefits from visitor spending.
Potential Benefits
- Facilitates family reunification by creating a specific visa category for temporary family visits.
- Sets clear guidelines and requirements for eligibility, reducing ambiguity and potential for misuse.
- Requires visitors to obtain short-term travel medical insurance, reducing the burden on US healthcare system.
- Allows individuals awaiting immigrant visas to visit family while their application is processed.
- Could boost local economies through visitor spending on tourism, hospitality, and related services.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for visa overstays despite the declaration of intent to depart, creating enforcement challenges.
- Administrative burden on the Department of Homeland Security to process and monitor the new visa category.
- Risk of fraud or misrepresentation in visa applications to exploit the family purpose provision.
- Limited to 90 days per year, which may not be sufficient for all family needs or events.
- Potential strain on social services if visitors require assistance despite the financial support declaration.
Constitutional Alignment
The Temporary Family Visitation Act aligns with the Constitution's broad principles of promoting the general welfare and securing the blessings of liberty. While immigration is a power of the federal government, as established through Article I, Section 8, which grants Congress the power to establish a uniform Rule of Naturalization, the specific provisions of this bill do not appear to infringe on any specific constitutional right or principle. The bill establishes a process for temporary visitation, which falls within the scope of congressional authority over immigration.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).