Press Releases

Congressman Moran (TX-01) released the following statement, after introducing the Stop Visa Overstays Act of 2023:

“The influx of illegal immigrants has compromised our national security, depleted our resources, and added a heavy burden to American taxpayers – who have been forced to compensate for their non-tax paying counterparts. While Republicans in Congress work to secure our southern border, it is important to note that historically, a major portion of illegal immigrants are made up of individuals who have overstayed their visas. Oftentimes, these overstays are people who arrive as tourists or students and never leave. My legislation discourages those who overstay their visa by increasing both civil and criminal penalties for violators. It also puts in jeopardy the possibility for re-admission into the United States by any violator. In short, my legislation gives greater enforcement power to violators and works to strengthen respect and compliance for the rule of law.”

Background:

The Stop Visa Overstays Act of 2023 will reclassify the act of overstaying a visa, currently just an immigration violation, as illegal entry into the nation. This offense, now classified as a misdemeanor criminal offense, will be punishable by up to six months imprisonment for first-time offenders, with civil penalties increasing from $50-$250 to between $500 and $1000, with those penalties doubling for a subsequent offense.

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