Temporary Family Visitation Act
Temporary Family Visitation Act · H.R. 6670 / S. 3440 · 119th Congress
What it does
The Temporary Family Visitation Act (TFVA) looks to create a new, non-immigrant, temporary visa, called the B-3 visa. This visa would let family members of U.S. citizens and permanent residents visit their relatives in the United States for up to 90 days. The visa works by having the US based relatives serve as “hosts”. The “hosts” sign a document to claim responsibility for their visiting family members. If a visitor overstay's their visa or violates any of the visa agreements, the “host” is held accountable. To further limit visa overstays, the TFVA does not allow visa extensions or status changes, and does not let someone “host” after just one violation of the visa agreements.
Why it matters
Countless Americans have empty chairs at holiday gatherings, funerals, graduations and weddings that were supposed to be filled, because family members were caught in the difficulty of getting a tourist visa. Denial rates for regular visitor visas are so unnecessarily high out of fear of overstay that families find the extensive process to apply for immigrant visas as the only path to visit their relatives.
How it affects us
If passed, TFVA could reunite 1-2 million families each year, while also reducing the amount of tourist visa applications, speeding up the process for others. Improved family visitation also benefits the U.S. economy through tourism, as overseas travelers spend approximately $4,300 per trip, supporting millions of jobs and generating billions in wages.
What you can say
To a Representative
Dear Representative [Rep’s Last Name], I am writing as a constituent to ask you to support the Temporary Family Visitation Act (H.R.6670) in the 119th Congress. Family is a major value across the entire nation, and especially so in [City]. We know how meaningful it is when families come together for important moments; a wedding, the birth of a child, a graduation, or simply a visit with a parent or grandparent. Yet, those visits are painfully rare and difficult for members of our community. I especially see it in our community members whose parents, siblings, grandparents, and other relatives live in another country. Relatives of U.S. citizens and permanent residents often begin their visit, not with packing, but with a B-2 visitor visa. Yet, B-2 visas are not built for time-sensitive temporary family visits, leaving empty chairs at too many events. The TFVA would create a new B-3 nonimmigrant visa specifically for temporary family visits, that has built in guard-rails against overstay. It would allow eligible relatives of U.S. citizens and permanent residents to visit their families in the United States for up to 90 days. The American relatives serve as “hosts”, and must agree to take responsibility for their guests. In the event of overstay or just one visa agreement violation, the “host” is held accountable, and not allowed any future guests. This is about creating a practical way for families to be together without asking them to choose between separation and a complicated process that was not designed specifically for family visits. A parent should be able to visit their child. A grandparent should be able to meet their grandchild. A sibling should be able to attend an important moment in their family's life. I respectfully ask you to support the Temporary Family Visitation Act, become a cosponsor, and work to advance this legislation in the House of Representatives. Thank you for your time and for representing our community. Sincerely, [First Name] [Last name]
To a Senator
Dear Senator [Last Name], I am writing as a constituent to ask you to support the Temporary Family Visitation Act (S.3440) in the 119th Congress. Family is a major value across the entire nation, and especially so in [State]. We know how meaningful it is when families come together for important moments; a wedding, the birth of a child, a graduation, or simply a visit with a parent or grandparent. Yet, those visits are painfully rare and difficult for members of our community. I especially see it in our community members whose parents, siblings, grandparents, and other relatives live in another country. Relatives of U.S. citizens and permanent residents often begin their visit, not with packing, but with a B-2 visitor visa. Yet, B-2 visas are not built for time-sensitive temporary family visits, leaving empty chairs at too many events. The TFVA would create a new B-3 nonimmigrant visa specifically for temporary family visits, that has built in guard-rails against overstay. It would allow eligible relatives of U.S. citizens and permanent residents to visit their families in the United States for up to 90 days. The American relatives serve as “hosts”, and must agree to take responsibility for their guests. In the event of overstay or just one visa agreement violation, the “host” is held accountable, and not allowed any future guests. This is about creating a practical way for families to be together without asking them to choose between separation and a complicated process that was not designed specifically for family visits. A parent should be able to visit their child. A grandparent should be able to meet their grandchild. A sibling should be able to attend an important moment in their family's life. I respectfully ask you to support the Temporary Family Visitation Act and to help advance this legislation in the Senate. Thank you for your time and for representing our community. Sincerely, [First Name] [Last Name] [City, State]
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