1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Preventing Visa Overstays Act”.
Preventing Visa Overstays Act
A BILL
To establish criminal penalties for aliens who fail to depart before the expiration of their visas.
2. Criminal penalties for aliens who fail to depart from the United States before the expiration of their visas
In general— Section 274D of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1324d) is amended to read as follows:
“274D. Penalties for failure to depart
“(a) Prohibited conduct—It is unlawful for any alien who is subject to a final order of removal—
“(1) to willfully fail or refuse—
“(A) to depart from the United States pursuant to such order;
“(B) to make a timely application in good faith for travel or other documents necessary for departure; or
“(C) to present for removal at the time and place required by the Secretary of Homeland Security; or
“(2) to conspire to or take any action designed to prevent or hamper the alien’s departure pursuant to such order.
“(b) Civil penalties—Any alien who violates subsection (a) shall pay a civil penalty of not more than $500 to the Secretary of Homeland Security for each day the alien remains in violation of such subsection.
“(c) Criminal penalties—Any alien who is required to depart from the United States as a result of the expiration of the alien’s visa and fails to depart the United States within the prescribed period shall be fined under title 18, United States Code, imprisoned for not more than 1 year, or both.
“(d) Rule of construction—Nothing in this section may be construed to diminish or qualify any penalties to which an alien may be subject for activities proscribed under section 243(a) or under any other section of this Act.”
Clerical amendment— The table of contents for the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101 note) is amended by striking the item relating to section 274D and inserting the following: