Deportation Compliance Act
The Deportation Compliance Act would bar the use of federal foreign aid to any country that has, for 180 days, had the Secretary of State exercise the visa-denial authority under section 243(d) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to discontinue granting visas to nationals of that country, and that country continues to deny or unreasonably delay accepting aliens who are citizens, subjects, nationals, or residents of that country. In short, if a country blocks or indefinitely delays accepting its own nationals who are seeking admission to the United States, the United States could withhold foreign assistance from that country. The bill is titled the Deportation Compliance Act and is currently introduced and referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Key Points
- 1Short title: The bill is named the "Deportation Compliance Act."
- 2Core prohibition: No federal funds may be used to provide foreign assistance to any country that has, after 180 days of the Secretary of State using INA section 243(d) to discontinue visas for nationals of that country, continued to deny or unreasonably delay accepting aliens who are from that country.
- 3Triggering mechanism: The prohibition depends on the Secretary of State exercising the authority under INA section 243(d) (visa denial/withholding for nationals of a country) for 180 days, and the country still not cooperating by accepting its own nationals who are seeking admission.
- 4Scope of action: The restriction applies to foreign assistance (i.e., aid programs the U.S. provides abroad) to the affected country.
- 5Implementation/status: The bill outlines the condition and consequence but does not specify additional processes, sunsets, or exceptions beyond the stated 180-day trigger and continued noncooperation.