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S. 1328 (116th): DETER Act


The text of the bill below is as of Jun 4, 2019 (Referred to House Committee). The bill was not enacted into law.


IC

116th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 1328

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

June 4, 2019

Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

AN ACT

To designate foreign persons who improperly interfere in United States elections as inadmissible aliens, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Defending Elections against Trolls from Enemy Regimes Act or DETER Act.

2.

Defined term

Section 101(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(53)

The term improper interference in a United States election means conduct by an alien that—

(A)
(i)

violates Federal criminal, voting rights, or campaign finance law; or

(ii)

is under the direction of a foreign government; and

(B)

interferes with a general or primary Federal, State, or local election or caucus, including—

(i)

the campaign of a candidate; and

(ii)

a ballot measure, including—

(I)

an amendment;

(II)

a bond issue;

(III)

an initiative;

(IV)

a recall;

(V)

a referral; and

(VI)

a referendum.

.

3.

Improper interference in United States elections

(a)

Inadmissibility

Section 212(a)(3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(3)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(H)

Improper interference in a United States election

Any alien who a consular officer, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Secretary of State, or the Attorney General knows, or has reasonable grounds to believe, is seeking admission to the United States to engage in improper interference in a United States election, or who has engaged in improper interference in a United States election, is inadmissible.

.

(b)

Deportability

Section 237(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1227(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(8)

Improper interference in a United States election

Any alien who has engaged, is engaged, or at any time after admission engages in


improper interference in a United States election is deportable.

.

Passed the Senate June 3, 2019.

Julie E. Adams,

Secretary