St Maarteners might be paying higher American Visa fees to travel to THE USA
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Press Releases: Wagner, Gill Introduce Bill to Deter Immigration from Uncooperative NationsPress ReleaseWashington, D.C. – Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO) and Congressman Brandon Gill (R-TX) released the following statement after they introduced the Fee Increases for Reckless Mismanagement Act or FIRM Act. The FIRM Act increases the fees on foreigners of certain nations attempting to obtain nonimmigrant visas.Congresswoman Wagner: “President Trump and Congressional Republicans earned an historic mandate to secure our border, instill law and order, and put America first. To fulfill this mandate, Congress must ensure that foreign nations seeking to undermine these priorities and our national security are held accountable.
That’s why I am proud to be joined by Congressman Gill in introducing the FIRM Act. This legislation will ensure there are financial consequences for countries that refuse to accept deported illegal aliens, support terrorists, and allow human trafficking to run rampant. This bill serves as a carrot and a stick. Nations that cooperate with the U.S. are rewarded, and nations that do not will be forced to pay the U.S. extra. We must send a message around the world: If foreign nationals want to travel to and do business with the United States, you have to play by our rules.”Congressman Gill: “Protecting American citizens should be our government’s number one priority. This includes properly vetting those who seek to obtain a visa to cross our borders. The FIRM Act punishes foreign nations who undermine the United States and will help President Trump undertake the largest deportation operation in American history. I am proud to co-lead the FIRM Act with Congresswoman Wagner to clean up America’s flow of immigration and ensure our nation’s security.”Michael Hough, Director of Federal Government Relations, NumbersUSA: “NumbersUSA is proud to support the FIRM Act, legislation that will ensure accountability for foreign countries that undermine U.S. immigration laws and promote human trafficking and lawlessness. The Trump Administration needs all the tools at its disposal to reverse the damage done over the past four years. We thank Reps. Wagner and Gill for putting forward this strong legislation, mandating increased fees for nations that refuse to cooperate with the United States and destabilize our national security, and look forward to the bill’s consideration in the House of Representatives.”Joe Chatham, Director of Government Relations, Federation for American Immigration Reform: “The Fee Increases for Reckless Mismanagement Act is essential to holding other countries accountable for failing to combat national security threats, fight human trafficking, or cooperate with the Trump administration’s removal efforts. For far too long, these countries have had a blank check to take advantage of our immigration laws and this bill is a critical step to changing that.
FAIR is proud to support the FIRM Act and encourages all Members of Congress to quickly act in passing it into law.”BackgroundCriteriaRecalcitrant Countries: The Department of Homeland Security has reported to State that the country has denied or unreasonably delayed accepting aliens who are nationals of that country.State Sponsors of Terrorism: The State Department has designated the country as a state sponsor of international terrorism.Human Trafficking: The country is designated as a “tier 3 country” in the most recent State Department Trafficking-in-Person report, meaning the country is making no significant efforts to combat human trafficking. Amount of IncreaseIf a country meets any 1 criterion, the visa fees increase at least 50% (from $185 to $277.50)If a country meets any 2 criteria, the visa fees increase at least 100% (from $185 to $370)If a country meets any 3 criteria, the visa fees increase at least 150% (from $185 to $462.50)Countries AffectedBased on the most recent publicly available data, 27 countries meet the criteria and would face increased fees.3 criteria met: Iran and Cuba.2 criteria met: Russia, Venezuela, Burma, Eritrea, Syria, and North Korea.1 criteria met: China, Cambodia, Afghanistan, South Sudan, Turkmenistan, Belarus, Djibouti, Macau, Nicaragua, Papua New Guinea, Sint Maarten, Laos, Bhutan, Pakistan, Ethiopia, Somalia, Sierra Leone, Brunei, and Sudan.Revenue GenerationApplying the increased fees to the number of nonimmigrant visas issued for each of the above countries in FY2023, an additional $65.6 million in revenue would have been generated.