Temporary Family Visitation Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 6670
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Immigration
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-12-11: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-10T08:07:22Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Temporary Family Visitation Act (H.R. 6670) aims to create a new temporary nonimmigrant visa category specifically for relatives of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (LPRs, often called green card holders) to visit the United States for family-related reasons, such as social gatherings, holidays, weddings, or religious events. This expands options for short-term family reunions without intending permanent immigration.
Key Provisions
- New Visa Category: Adds a "family purposes" subcategory to the existing B nonimmigrant visa (typically for business or tourism) under Section 101(a)(15)(B) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). This allows temporary entry for defined family events or other social purposes.
- Definition of Relatives and Family Purposes:
- Relatives include spouses, children, parents, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews of U.S. citizens or LPRs.
- Family purposes cover social visits, occasional events (e.g., holidays), major life events (e.g., weddings, graduations), religious observances, or similar activities.
- Admission Requirements (under new Section 214(t) of the INA):
- A U.S. citizen or LPR petitioner (or additional sponsor) must submit a financial support declaration, similar to an affidavit of support, ensuring the visitor won't become a public burden.
- The visitor must have short-term travel medical insurance or equivalent coverage for international medical expenses during their stay.
- The visitor must sign a sworn statement (under penalty of perjury) affirming intent to leave the U.S. at the end of the authorized period and acknowledging penalties for overstaying.
- Duration and Limits:
- Maximum stay of 90 days per calendar year.
- Petitioners are ineligible if they previously sponsored a relative who overstayed, unless the overstay was due to extraordinary circumstances beyond the relative's control (with certification required; false statements are punishable under federal law).
- The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) can waive certain overstay penalties for extraordinary reasons.
- No Change of Status: Holders of this visa cannot apply to change to another immigration status while in the U.S. (amends Section 248(a)(1) of the INA to explicitly include this category).
- Eligibility for Those Awaiting Immigrant Visas: Relatives already approved for permanent immigration but waiting due to visa quotas can use this temporary visa, but time spent under it does not count toward eligibility for adjusting status to permanent residency (Section 245(a) of the INA).
- Rule of Construction: Immigration officers retain full authority to deny entry if criteria aren't met or if the applicant is otherwise inadmissible (e.g., under health, security, or criminal grounds in Section 212(a) of the INA). This does not prevent using the standard tourist (pleasure) B visa for family travel.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Expansion of B Visas: Previously, B visas were limited to business or pleasure/tourism; this adds an explicit family purposes option, making family visits a distinct, protected category rather than a vague extension of tourism.
- Added Safeguards: Introduces mandatory financial support, insurance, and intent-to-depart declarations to prevent abuse, which weren't required for standard B visas. It also bars repeat petitions after overstays and restricts status changes, tightening controls compared to the more flexible existing B visa system.
- Waiver and Certification Mechanisms: New provisions allow limited waivers for overstays and require certifications from prior sponsors, with criminal penalties for falsehoods—enhancing enforcement tools not previously specified for B visas.
- Interaction with Immigrant Process: Permits temporary visits while waiting for permanent visas, overriding the presumption of immigrant intent (Section 214(b) of the INA) that often blocks B visas for family-based immigrants, but explicitly excludes it from counting as prior U.S. presence for adjustment purposes.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Increases workload for DHS and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in processing petitions, declarations, and verifications, potentially requiring new forms or systems. Could reduce denials for family visits but raise enforcement costs for monitoring overstays.
- On Citizens and Residents: U.S. citizens and LPRs gain easier access to host relatives temporarily, fostering family unity without long separations. However, petitioners face risks if relatives overstay, limiting future sponsorships.
- On Visitors: Provides a clearer path for short-term family trips but imposes stricter requirements (e.g., insurance, declarations) and a 90-day annual cap, which may deter some while ensuring safer, more accountable visits.
- On International Relations: Could improve U.S. image for family-friendly policies, especially for countries with strong family ties (e.g., in Asia, Latin America), but might strain relations if perceived as overly restrictive compared to other nations' visitor policies.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- U.S. Citizens and LPRs: Primary beneficiaries as petitioners, enabling family visits but with accountability for overstays.
- Foreign Relatives: Gain a dedicated visa pathway for temporary entry, particularly those in the broad relative categories or awaiting permanent visas.
- Immigration Agencies (DHS, USCIS, Consulates): Responsible for implementation, adjudication, and enforcement, facing both opportunities for streamlined family processing and challenges in oversight.
- Insurance Providers and Financial Institutions: May see increased demand for travel medical policies and financial support documentation.
- Immigrant Advocacy Groups and Families: Positively impacted by family reunification options, though some may criticize limits like the 90-day cap or overstay penalties.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal Implications: Strengthens immigration enforcement by codifying anti-abuse measures (e.g., financial declarations, perjury penalties under 18 U.S.C. § 1001), potentially reducing litigation over B visa denials for family intent. The waiver for extraordinary circumstances introduces discretionary authority for DHS, which could lead to consistency challenges or court reviews if applied unevenly.
- Constitutional Implications: Aligns with family unity interests under the Due Process Clause (Fifth Amendment) by facilitating temporary visits, but the overstay restrictions and no-change-of-status rule uphold plenary power over immigration without infringing on citizens' rights. No direct equal protection issues, as it applies uniformly to eligible relatives.
- Political Implications: Bipartisan sponsorship (from Democrats and Republicans) suggests broad appeal for humane family policies amid immigration debates. Could spark controversy over expanding visas during backlog concerns, with critics arguing it risks encouraging overstays and supporters viewing it as a balanced reform to existing law. If enacted, it might influence future immigration bills by setting precedents for hybrid temporary-permanent pathways.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Peters, Scott H. [D-CA-50]
Cosponsors (21)
Rep. Bice, Stephanie I. [R-OK-5], Rep. Himes, James A. [D-CT-4], Rep. Salazar, Maria Elvira [R-FL-27], Rep. Swalwell, Eric [D-CA-14], Rep. Foxx, Virginia [R-NC-5], Rep. Min, Dave [D-CA-47], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3], Rep. Sherman, Brad [D-CA-32], Rep. Mills, Cory [R-FL-7], Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3], Rep. Lee, Laurel M. [R-FL-15], Rep. Walkinshaw, James R. [D-VA-11], Rep. Nunn, Zachary [R-IA-3], Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19], Rep. Evans, Gabe [R-CO-8], Rep. Haridopolos, Mike [R-FL-8], Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10], Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2], Rep. Correa, J. Luis [D-CA-46], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]
Recent Actions
- 2025-12-11: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2025-12-11: Introduced in House
- 2025-12-11: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Temporary Family Visitation Act — issued 2025-12-11 — PDF (7 pages)