Speech #1100148699

Speaker. first of all. I want to thank the chairman of the Judiciary Committee. the gentleman from Michigan for his generous comments a while ago. and I certainly appreciated working with him on this bill as well. Performing arts organizations use 0 and P visas to bring many talented foreign artists to our country to perform before American audiences. Despite the fact that the Immigration Nationality Act provides that the Department of Homeland Security shall adjudicate 0 and P visas within 14 days. adjudication of up to 180 days has been reported. These long delays create the risk that performances involving international artists must be cancelled. creating high economic risks to arts institutions and the local economies they support. Henry Fogel. President of the American Symphony Orchestra League. has stated that. "nonprofit arts organizations confront long waits and uncertainty in gaining approval for visa petitions for foreign guest artists. This degree of uncertainty can prove too risky for many performing arts organizations and is having a direct impact on their ability to present foreign guest artists. Orchestras must sell tickets in advance. creating a financial obligation to their audiences. Performances are date. time and location specific. and the nature of scheduling. booking and confirming highly sought after guest soloists and performing groups requires that the timing of the visa process be efficient and reliable." The INA does provide that the Department of Homeland Security can charge a fee of $1.000 to provide premium processing for employmentbased visa petitions. adjudication within 15 days. However. many nonprofit arts organizations cannot afford to pay this extra amount either because they are a small. cashstrapped institution. or because they sponsor many foreign artists over a years time. The Arts Required Timely Service. ARTS. Act provides that if a nonprofit organizations petition for an 0 visa or for a P visa is not adjudicated within 30 days. it will receive premium processing free of charge. I support this bill. And I want to thank the chairman and Mr.