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Update
(11/1/2000)
ACA has now learned that the Commerce, Justice,
State appropriation bill will contain language
setting the maximum fee under CIPRIS for camp
counselors and au pairs at $35, down from $10
from the authorizing legislation.
Background
CIPRIS is an immigration and Naturalization
Service (INS) program designed to track the whereabouts
of foreign students in the United States.
The program was authorized under Section 641
of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant
Responsibility Act of 1996, under the principal
sponsorship of Senator Alan Simpson of Wyoming,
who is no longer in Congress
Regulations to implement the program (Rule 1991-99)
have been promulgated by the INS. Those rules
provide for the imposition of a $95 fee on non-immigrants
entering this country under F-1, J-1 and M-1 visas,
and requires sponsoring organizations to collect
the fee and complete paperwork requirements under
the rule The fee is intended to pay for the government's
cost of operating the program.
The American Camping Association submitted a
formal letter to the INS in February of this year
stating its opposition to the program as proposed.
That letter itemized ACA's specific objections.
The ACA joined a coalition of other organizations
affected by the program and has participated in
the activities of the coalition throughout the
year. Other organizations participating are:
The coalition has conducted extensive discussions
with the INS, members of Congress, and congressional
staff. The coalition has mobilized grassroots
efforts by member organizations, and coordinated
background briefings, position papers and other
materials designed to advance the coalition's
position.
Current Status
The ACA and the coalition have supported
a 2 track legislative strategy. The first focused
on an amendment to a visa bill that would limit
the amount of the fee imposed upon camp counselors,
au pairs and summer work program participants
to $40 or less. This amendment has passed in the
House of Representatives, and is awaiting final
passage by the Senate.
The second track involves appropriation language
introduced by Senator Judd Gregg of New Hampshire,
Chairman of the Commerce, Justice, State Appropriations
Subcommittee, which would essentially repeal CIPRIS
altogether.
Section 103 of the Senate version of the Commerce,
Justice, State Appropriation bill simply says
that "Sections 110 and 641 of division C
of Public Law 104-208 are repealed. Section 641
contains the authorization for the CIPRIS program.
The House bill contains no such provision and
therefore is subject to negotiation. It is our
understanding that the House managers of the bill
are considering a compromise between the two positions
that may exempt camp counselors and au pairs from
the requirements of CIPRIS At this stage of the
negotiations, staff members are embargoed from
discussions with outside parties of the details
of those discussions. We anticipate a decision
by the end of October 2000.
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