Press Releases

Today, Congressman Ben Cline (R-VA) introduced the Protecting America from Spies Act, which would allow the Department of State to deny visas to any individual if a consulate officer, an immigration officer, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), or the U.S. Attorney General knows, or has reasonable ground to believe, that the individual has committed acts of espionage or intellectual property theft against the United States. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) introduced the companion legislation in the Senate earlier this year.

Rep. Ben Cline said, “The Chinese Communist Party has actively engaged in espionage efforts to infiltrate our society, steal our intellectual property, and gain our country’s secrets, posing a serious threat to our national security. It is far past time we strengthen our immigration laws and crackdown on foreign espionage by denying those who attempt to spy or steal from the United States from entering our country.”

BACKGROUND

• Under current law, spies operating on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party who have been expelled from the United States are able to immediately reapply for visas.
• In 2020, the Trump Administration closed China’s consulate in Houston, Texas in response to evidence of espionage and intellectual property theft.
• The Protecting America from Spies Act would update the Immigration and Naturalization Act to ensure that efforts to engage in espionage or technology transfer is considered ineligible for future visas.

Read more in Daily Caller HERE and the full bill text HERE.

Congressman Ben Cline represents the Sixth Congressional District of Virginia. He previously was an attorney in private practice and served both as an assistant prosecutor and Member of the Virginia House of Delegates. Cline and his wife, Elizabeth, live in Botetourt County with their two children.

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