Carney Pitches Bill To Strengthen Immigration Security

Press Release

Congressman Chris Carney (PA-10) has joined with Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) in introducing a bill to strengthen the security precautions taken before granting visas to foreign students, particularly those coming through high-risk issuing points. The measure, the Student Visa Security Improvement Act, or H.R. 5208, in part requires agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement at such high-risk points to conduct in-person interviews of all applicants recommended by consular officers for student visas.

"Our immigration security has far too many flaws and we must strengthen our oversight of those coming into the United States," said Congressman Carney, Chairman of the House Homeland Security's Management, Investigations and Oversight Subcommittee. "Student visas provide important opportunities for foreigners to study in our country. But we must be vigilant in ensuring that those visas are never abused. This bill would strengthen our security."

Two of the Sept. 11 terrorists entered the country on student visas. Since then, there have been numerous cases involving student visa fraud, including two large-scale operations that were exposed this year in Miami and Los Angeles.

The measure ensures that someone with a law enforcement background has a chance to screen any applicant from a high-risk area. It all also requires educational institutions or exchange program sponsors to ensure that foreign students and exchange visitors are active participants in the programs in which they were issued visas.

The legislation also requires an upgrade to the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System to incorporate new data fields that ensure covered students are meeting the minimum academic standards of the institutions in which they are enrolled.

"Everyone understands the important role foreign students play in our society. However, we must remain vigilant both domestically and abroad to ensure that terrorists do not use our student visa process as a back door into our country," said Congressman Bilirakis, Ranking Member of the House Homeland Security Committee's Management, Investigations and Oversight Subcommittee. "Over the past several years there have been multiple instances which demonstrate shortcomings in our ability to properly screen and monitor foreign students."

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