Presidential Memorandum Issued Targeting High Visa Overstay Rates
On April 22, 2019, the Trump administration issued a memorandum initiating a process that federal agencies shall follow in order to assist the administration in combating high nonimmigrant visa overstay rates. This memorandum directs the DOJ, DHS and DOS agencies to take the following actions:
- Within 120 days of the date the memorandum was issued:
- The agencies must provide to the President recommendations to reduce B-1 and B-2 nonimmigrant visa overstay rates from countries whose total B-1/B-2 overstay rate exceeded 10% in the DHS’ published FY 2018 “Entry/Exit Overstay Report.”
- The DOS and DHS must provide a status report to the President on steps they are taking to develop measures required for imposing admission bonds as a means for improving compliance with the terms and conditions of nonimmigrant visas.
- Within 180 days of the date the memorandum was issued:
- DHS must additionally provide to the President a summary of the agency’s ongoing efforts to reduce overstays from countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program.
- Immediately:
- Furthermore, the DOS and DHS agencies must now immediately begin taking all appropriate actions that are within the “scope of their respective authorities” to reduce overstay rates for all classes of nonimmigrant visas.
For more information, please contact the experienced immigration attorneys at Monty & Ramirez LLP at 281-493-5529 or via email atinfo@montyramirezlaw.com.
Originally published in the M&R Insider newsletter on Family Immigration. Sign up today!