{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.paul.senate.gov/dr-rand-paul-and-senator-richard-blumenthal-reintroduce-the-temporary-family-visitation-act/", "Dr. Rand Paul and Senator Richard Blumenthal\u00a0Reintroduce\u00a0the Temporary Family Visitation Act", "2023-11-09", "2023", "2023-11", "Republican", "Senate", "KY", "Rand Paul", "P000603", "www.paul.senate.gov", "paul", "https://www.paul.senate.gov/news/", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:\n\nNovember 9, 2023\n\nContact: Press_Paul@paul.senate.gov, 202-224-4343\n\nDr. Rand Paul and Senator Richard Blumenthal Reintroduce the Temporary Family Visitation Act\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Yesterday, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) and Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) reintroduced the Temporary Family Visitation Act (TFVA) that would establish a new B-3 nonimmigrant category allowing U.S. citizens and permanent residents to petition for their family members for temporary visas.\n\nUnder the current system, family members of U.S. citizens and permanent residents may only apply to visit their relatives through B2 visas. While facilitating family reunions is one of the main pillars of the U.S. immigration policy, the current immigration law lacks a direct path for families to temporarily reunite for family purposes such as weddings, birthdays, graduations, funerals, and holidays.\n\nIf enacted, the Temporary Family Visitation Act would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act and will establish a separate nonimmigrant classification under B visa category for family members of U.S. citizens and permanent residents who are residents of countries not included in the Visa Waiver Program for a duration of 90 days.\n\nAdditionally, TFVA promotes U.S. national interests by supporting the principle of family reunion while strengthening the economy and reducing unintended immigrant visa applications.\n\n\u201cThe Temporary Family Visitation Act is a great step forward in allowing family members of U.S. citizens/permanent residents to responsibly visit the United States for memorable occasions such as weddings, births and graduations,\u201d said Dr. Paul. \u201cThe legislation will strengthen our economy through indirect spending and has the support of a large coalition of groups who agree that it is time to allow family members to visit the United States under responsible enforcement mechanisms to ensure that applicants do not overstay their visa.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis bill is pretty simple: we want to make it easier for close family members to see their grandchildren baptized, their children married or their nieces and nephews graduate from college,\u201d said Senator Blumenthal. \u201cAs we\u2019ve learned, it\u2019s possible to celebrate these kinds of special occasions from afar, but it just isn\u2019t the same as being there in person. I\u2019m glad to join bipartisan legislation to make it a little easier for families to mark life\u2019s big moments together.\u201d\n\nTFVA requires that:\n\nEach petitioner signs an affidavit of financial support.\n\nEach applicant must purchase travel medical insurance for the duration of their stay.\n\nThese requirements dissuade visa overstays by prohibiting the petitioner from using the TFVA if they had previously sponsored a relative who overstayed the 90-day period of authorized admission, it will also provide financial assurance to the U.S. Government.\n\nYou can read the Temporary Family Visitation Act, HERE.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:49:58Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.paul.senate.gov/dr-rand-paul-and-senator-richard-blumenthal-reintroduce-the-temporary-family-visitation-act/"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.8312677964568138, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}