Legislative Update

The House has passed an amendment that would allow American tourists to travel to Cuba. The amendment, offered by Rep. Jeff Flake (R-AZ), was attached to the Treasury and Transportation Departments appropriations bill, and it passed 227-188. Supporters said the proposal will advance freedom in the communist nation, while opponents said it would only support t dictatorship of Fidel Castro.

Current law allows Americans to visit Cuba, but only with special approval from the U.S. Government. Bush said he would veto the appropriations bill if it contained the Cuban travel amendment.

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The following bills were recently introduced in Congress:

HR 3052, sponsored by Rep. Thomas Tancredo [CO-6], introduced 9/9/2003, to amend title 23, United States Code, to discourage States from issuing an identification card or driver's license to an alien not legally authorized to be in the United States. Latest Major Action: 9/9/2003 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

HR 3075, sponsored by Rep. Gresham Barrett [SC-3], introduced 9/11/2003, to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to bar the admission of aliens from countries determined to be state sponsors of terrorism, and for other purposes.

S 1609, sponsored by Sen. Orrin Hatch [UT], introduced 9/11/2003, a bill to make aliens ineligible to receive visas and exclude aliens from admission into the United States for nonpayment of child support.

For a review of all the immigration bills introduced this year, visit our legislative chart at www.visalaw.com/advocacy.html.