AMIGOS Act

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2571) to include Portugal in the list of foreign states whose nationals are eligible for admission into the United States as E- 1 and E-2 nonimmigrants if United States nationals are treated similarly by the Government of Portugal and to otherwise modify the eligibility criteria for E visas, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 2571.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2571, the Advancing Mutual Interests and Growing Our Success Act, or AMIGOS Act, would allow citizens of Portugal to participate in the E-1 and E-2 visa programs for traders and investors if Portugal provides reciprocal treatment to U.S. citizens.

The E-1 Treaty Trader program provides temporary visas to individuals or employees of firms that engage in substantial trade with the United States.

The E-2 Treaty Investor program provides visas to individuals so that they can develop and direct the operations of an enterprise in which they have invested a substantial amount of capital.

The United States became Portugal's largest trading partner outside the European Union in 2015. Bilateral trade between our counties is growing at a rapid pace, from $4.2 billion in 2015 to $8.9 billion in 2019.

Unlike most European Union countries, Portugal did not have a bilateral treaty with the United States before joining the European Union. Now, despite being one of our closest allies and closest economic partners, they are one of only five European Union countries whose citizens are not eligible for E-1 and E-2 visas.

This is a bipartisan measure that we can all support. The bill simply would expand opportunities for Portuguese citizens to invest in the United States, facilitate trade, and create jobs for U.S. workers.

The bill also strengthens the E visa programs by ensuring that individuals who obtain the nationality of a treaty country through an investment-based visa have sufficient ties to their new country of nationality before they can qualify for an E-1 or E-2 visa.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Cicilline) for championing this issue and working across the aisle to build consensus on this legislation. H.R. 2571 will improve our economy and strengthen our ties with an important and longstanding ally.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Cicilline).

Mr. Speaker, the AMIGOS Act is bipartisan legislation that would improve our economy and strengthen our ties with an important and longstanding ally.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2571, the Advancing Mutual Interests and Growing Our Success Act, or the AMIGOS Act.

The bill makes nationals of Portugal eligible for E-1 and E-2 nonimmigrant visas, as long as Portugal allows reciprocal visas for U.S. nationals. E-1 visas are temporary visas available for treaty traders, and E-2 visas are available for treaty investors.

As stated in the Immigration and Nationality Act, these visas are available to aliens who are ``entitled to enter the United States under and in pursuance of the provisions of a treaty of commerce and navigation between the United States and the foreign state of which the alien is a national, and their spouse and children solely to either carry on substantial trade, including trade in services or trade in technology, principally between the United States and the foreign state of which the alien is a national, or to develop and direct the operations of an enterprise in which the alien has invested a substantial amount of capital.''

Alien employees of treaty traders and treaty investors may receive visas if they are coming to the United States ``to engage in duties of an executive or supervisory character; or, if employed in a lesser capacity, if they have special qualifications that make the services to be rendered essential to the efficient operation of the enterprise.''

E-1 and E-2 visa holders may be admitted initially for a period of 2 years, and can apply for extensions in 2-year increments.

The U.S. has entered into treaties of commerce since at least 1815, when we entered into a Convention to Regulate Commerce with the United Kingdom. Currently, the nationals of 82 countries are eligible for E-1 and/or E-2 visa status.

During fiscal year 2020, almost 26,800 E-1 and E-2 visas were issued, down because of the pandemic from roughly 50,000 during fiscal year 2019.

While the AMIGOS Act passed the House last Congress, the version we are considering today is somewhat different. The updated text includes language, added at the request of Senator Lee from Utah, aimed at preventing abuse of the E visa program whereby an individual essentially purchases citizenship in a U.S. trade treaty country simply to be eligible to get a U.S. E visa. Specifically, the language requires that an alien be domiciled in the U.S. trade treaty country for at least 3 years before the individual can apply for an E visa.

I thank Senator Lee for his commitment to ensuring the integrity of our visa programs.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New York, the chair of the Judiciary Committee, for bringing this bill to the floor.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2571, the Advancing Mutual Interests and Growing Our Success Act, or the AMIGOS Act.

The AMIGOS Act is a bipartisan bill that I introduced along with my colleagues Mr. Costa, Mr. Keating, Mr. Valadao, and Mr. Khanna to encourage greater investment and trade between the United States and Portugal.

H.R. 2571 makes Portuguese nationals eligible for E-1 and E-2 nonimmigrant investor visas. Extending visas to Portugal not only gives Portuguese businesses an opportunity to invest in the United States, but it is a mutually beneficial relationship that promotes jobs in both countries and growth in United States businesses and our economy.

The United States has no better friend than the country of Portugal. As one of the first countries to recognize the United States after the Revolutionary War, Portugal is one of our closest economic partners and strongest allies. Today, the United States maintains that longstanding relationship as the fifth-largest export market for Portugal and its largest trading partner outside of the European Union.

I am proud to represent the First District of Rhode Island, home to one of the country's largest and most vibrant Portuguese communities, a community that has made outstanding contributions in the arts, culture, business, and public service in this country for many decades.

The United States is Portugal's largest trading partner outside the European Union, with bilateral trade reaching $6.6 billion in 2019. There are currently over 130 American companies operating in Portugal in a wide range of economic sectors, including pharmaceutical, chemical, technology, banking, and health sectors.

In 2019, the United States' direct investment position in Portugal was $2.3 billion, an increase of 6 percent from 2018. The direct investment position from Portugal in the United States, however, experienced a 1 percent decrease to $1.4 billion from 2018 to 2019.

Portugal is one of only five EU countries whose citizens are not currently eligible for E-1 or E-2 visas. In the absence of a bilateral treaty, which Portugal cannot enter due to the rules of the European Union, Congress has the power to authorize E-1 and E-2 visa benefits to other countries. We have exercised our authority to do so for both Israel in 2012 and New Zealand in 2018.

I am proud to lead this effort to support our ally and friend, Portugal. I encourage my colleagues to support H.R. 2571, the AMIGOS Act, and I again thank Mr. Nadler for bringing the bill to the floor.

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to section 11 of House Resolution 486, I move to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 482, H.R. 704, H.R. 961,

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.