Johnson Asks for Review of Visa System from DHS Following Iran Conflict

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, sent a letter Wednesday to Acting Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Chad Wolf to better understand the vulnerabilities our visa system faces from Iran, Hizballah, and other Iranian proxies.

Chairman Johnson wrote, “The U.S. government must remain vigilant against a real threat of violence to the homeland by Iran or any of the foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs) that Iran sponsors. This includes taking steps to ensure that our immigration system adjusts along with this changing threat landscape.

“Although the U.S. restricts the visas available to Iranian nationals, individuals associated with Iran-sponsored FTOs may seek to travel to the U.S. from places not subject to these visa restrictions. For example, Lebanese Hizballah members may have Lebanese passports, which allow them to travel into the U.S. more freely. Additionally, reporting indicates that hundreds of student visas have been issued to Iranian nationals in FY2019 and thousands in FY2018. To better understand how DHS is adapting to this dynamic threat environment, I respectfully request the following records and information…”

Full text of the letter is below, and the letter can be viewed here.

January 15, 2020

The Honorable Chad F. Wolf

Acting Secretary

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

246 Murray Lane, SW

Washington, D.C. 20528

Dear Acting Secretary Wolf:

                Two days after the United States killed Qasem Soleimani, the Commander of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force and a prolific sponsor of terrorism,^[1] the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a National Terrorism Advisory Bulletin warning of potential reprisals by Iran and their proxies.^[2]  Soon after, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Hassan Rouhani vowed revenge;^[3] and Secretary General Nasrallah, the leader of the Iranian-proxy Hizballah, warned that all U.S. military assets are fair targets.^[4]  On January 8, Iran launched missile strikes against U.S. personnel located in Iraq, fortunately leading to no causalities.^[5] The U.S. government must remain vigilant against a real threat of violence to the homeland by Iran or any of the foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs) that Iran sponsors.  This includes taking steps to ensure that our immigration system adjusts along with this changing threat landscape.

                Although the U.S. restricts the visas available to Iranian nationals, individuals associated with Iran-sponsored FTOs may seek to travel to the U.S. from places not subject to these visa restrictions. For example, Lebanese Hizballah members may have Lebanese passports, which allow them to travel into the U.S. more freely.^[6] Additionally, reporting indicates that hundreds of student visas have been issued to Iranian nationals in FY2019 and thousands in FY2018.^[7]  To better understand how DHS is adapting to this dynamic threat environment, I respectfully request the following records and information:

1. Data on the visa denial referrals based on derogatory information learned through the vetting undertaken by DHS and communicated to the Department of State during FY2018 and FY2019.

1. Data on the number of Iranians who were denied entry during FY2018 and FY2019.

1. Data on visa overstays by Iranian citizens, broken down by visa category, for FY2018 and FY2019.
   1. For each overstay identified above, the status of any open investigations.

1. A list of countries from which Iranian nationals have applied for visas to the U.S. during FY2018 and FY2019, and, for each of those countries, a description of the DHS Visa Security Unit personnel located at the relevant U.S. Embassies and Consulates.

1. A description of DHS’ social media vetting of Iranian visa applicants pursuant to Section 5 of Executive Order 13,780.^[8]

1. A list and description of all DHS investigations into Hizballah and the Qods Force since FY2018.

Please produce this material as soon as possible, but by no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, January 31, 2020.  To the maximum extent possible, please provide unclassified responses to these questions. Any classified information provided in response to this letter should be provided under separate cover through the Office of Senate Security.  In addition, I request that appropriate Department of Homeland Security staff arrange a briefing with my staff on this matter.  Please arrange this briefing by February 14, 2020.     

The Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs is authorized by Rule XXV of the Standing Rules of the Senate to investigate “the efficiency, economy, and effectiveness of all agencies and departments of the Government.”^[9]  Additionally, Senate Resolution 70 (116th Congress) authorizes the Committee to examine “the efficiency and economy of operations of all branches the Government.”^[10]  For purposes of this request, please refer to the definitions and instructions in the enclosure.

If you have any questions about this request, please contact Brian Kennedy of the Committee staff at (202) 224-4751.  Thank you for your attention to this important matter. 

  Sincerely,

Ron Johnson

Chairman

###