Number: RL32256
Title: Visa Policy: Roles of the Departments of State and Homeland Security
Authors: Ruth Ellen Wasem, Domestic Social Policy Division 
Abstract: This report addresses policies on immigration visa issuances, options to reassign this function to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that were considered prior to passage of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-296), and current administration of visa policy. It opens with an overview of visa issuances, with sections on procedures for aliens coming to live in the United States permanently and on procedures for aliens admitted for temporary stays. A summary of the grounds for excluding aliens follows. The report provides a legislative history of the debate to transfer visa issuance policy functions to DHS and analyzes legislative proposals in the 107' Congress to reassign the visa issuance activities. A discussion of the current division of responsibilities between DHS and DOS and the ongoing issues in the 108th Congress conclude the report.
Pages: 15
Date: Updated March 4, 2004