Bill > HR1220

This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to implement a fee increase for nonimmigrant B-1/B-2 visa (temporary business and tourism) applicants from certain countries that meet specific problematic criteria. The fee increases are graduated based on how many negative criteria a country meets: if a country meets one criterion, the visa fee will increase by at least 50%; if two criteria are met, the fee increases by at least 100%; and if three criteria are met, the fee increases by at least 150%. The criteria include: (1) the country has denied or unreasonably delayed accepting its own citizens back after the U.S. has sought to repatriate them, (2) the country is designated as a state sponsor of international terrorism, or (3) the country is listed as a tier 3 country in the State Department's Trafficking in Persons report. The Secretary of State is required to review these determinations monthly and can adjust the fees or add additional countries based on these ongoing assessments. The bill aims to create a financial disincentive for countries that do not cooperate with U.S. immigration enforcement or are deemed to have significant human rights or terrorism concerns.

Justice

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1220/all-info