H.R.1220 - Fee Increases for Reckless Mismanagement Act of 2025; FIRM Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.1220, also known as the FIRM Act of 2025, proposes to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act. It directs the Secretary of State to increase visa fees for nationals of countries that (1) deny or unreasonably delay accepting their own citizens back from the U.S., (2) are state sponsors of terrorism, or (3) are listed as Tier 3 countries in the Trafficking in Persons report. The fee increase would be tiered, ranging from 50% to 150% depending on how many of the criteria the country meets.
Expected Effects
The bill aims to incentivize countries to cooperate with the U.S. on repatriation and to deter support for terrorism and human trafficking. Increased visa fees could generate additional revenue for the State Department. It may also strain diplomatic relations with affected countries.
Potential Benefits
- Discourages countries from obstructing the return of their nationals.
- Potentially reduces support for terrorism and human trafficking.
- May generate additional revenue for the Department of State.
- Strengthens national security by targeting state sponsors of terrorism.
- Reinforces U.S. commitment to combating human trafficking.
Potential Disadvantages
- Could strain diplomatic relations with affected countries.
- May disproportionately affect legitimate travelers from those countries.
- Potential for retaliatory measures from affected countries.
- Increased visa fees could be seen as punitive and unfair.
- May not be effective in changing the behavior of targeted countries.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
While the Constitution grants Congress the power to regulate immigration and naturalization (Article I, Section 8), the bill's potential impact on foreign relations raises questions. The power to set visa fees and conditions is generally considered within the purview of Congress. The bill does not appear to infringe on any specific constitutional rights or liberties.
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).