May 25, 2016
Press Release

Washington, D.C. – Today, the House Judiciary Committee passed H.R. 3636, the Oversee Visa Integrity with Stakeholder Advisories (O-VISA) Act¸ which Representative Mimi Walters (R-California) introduced along with Representative Jerrold Nadler (D- New York).  In 1990, Congress established specific O-Visas categories to allow for the employment of non-immigrants with extraordinary achievement in film and television production.  In order to protect American jobs, Congress provided that United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) must consult with the appropriate private stakeholder organizations to confirm the validity of each visa application.  While the majority of those seeking these visas use the programs appropriately, there are troubling indications of fraudulent applications.  The O-VISA Act will require the Secretary of Homeland Security to provide copies of USCIS’ O-Visa application decisions to the private stakeholder organizations that submitted the required advisory opinions; this will dramatically increase transparency in the visa determination process and ensure a reliable O-Visa program.

 

“The O-VISA Act is an important step to secure the O-Visa program by reducing fraud and protecting American jobs,” said Representative Mimi Walters (CA-45).  “This bipartisan bill would improve the ability to detect potential fraud and abuse, and in doing so, it will help ensure the integrity of the O-Visa program.  All of this will come through leveraging the resources of the private stakeholder organizations meaning no taxpayer resources will be used.  I was pleased the Judiciary Committee passed the O-VISA Act today.  I look forward to its consideration by the full House of Representatives, and I will continue to work with my colleagues to ensure the O-Visa program operates effectively.”

 

“The O-VISA Act will help curb fraud associated with visas set aside for foreign nationals with extraordinary skills in the arts, sciences, education, business and athletics,” said House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte. “I thank Congresswoman Walters for her work and leadership on this important issue and urge the House to take up this legislation soon.”

 

Walters represents California’s 45th District and serves on the House Transportation and Infrastructure and Judiciary Committees.