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HR 147 116th Congress House

Visa Overstay Enforcement Act of 2019

Official title: To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to penalize aliens who overstay their visas, and for other purposes.

Introduced: January 3, 2019 See on congress.gov
Immigration Border security and unlawful immigrationImmigration status and proceduresVisas and passports
This bill died when the 116th Congress ended
It never became law before the 116th Congress (2019–2020) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jan 3, 2019
Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.
Jan 3, 2019
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Jan 3, 2019
Introduced in House
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 Latest action January 3, 2019

Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Visa Overstay Enforcement Act of 2019

This bill imposes various penalties on aliens who overstay a visa or lawful immigration status. An alien who overstays shall be fined or imprisoned for up to six months, or both. Such an individual may not be admitted into the United States for 5 years, and may not be granted a visa for 10 years. For subsequent offenses, the alien shall be fined or imprisoned for up to two years, or both, and shall not be admitted into the United States or granted a visa.

The Department of Homeland Security shall make case-by-case exceptions for aliens who overstay due to medical necessity, public safety, or national security reasons.

 Related & companion bills 1
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 147: Visa Overstay Enforcement Act of 2019. 116th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-147/
MLA
"H.R. 147: Visa Overstay Enforcement Act of 2019." 116th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-147/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 147, 116th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-147/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 147: Visa Overstay Enforcement Act of 2019](https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-147/)
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