CONGRESSMAN CARLOS A. GIMENEZ INTRODUCES SCREEN ACT TO STRENGTHEN VISA SCREENING AND PROTECT CHILDREN

 WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Carlos A. Gimenez (FL-28) introduced the Strengthened Checks for Reliable Evaluation of Entrants Nationwide (SCREEN) Act, legislation to strengthen federal visa screening and help prevent individuals connected to the sexual exploitation of children from entering the United States.

The SCREEN Act would close a gap in the federal government’s ability to access critical information related to suspected child exploitation. The legislation would provide the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of State access to relevant information from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), strengthening coordination between NCMEC and the federal agencies responsible for securing our borders and screening individuals seeking entry into the United States.

“The criminals who exploit innocent children online cannot be allowed to hide behind our borders or take advantage of gaps in our screening systems,” said Congressman Carlos A. Gimenez. “The SCREEN Act gives the Department of Homeland Security and Department of State access to critical information from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to help identify dangerous predators before they can enter or remain in our communities. I am proud to work with Senator Rick Scott to close this gap, protect our children, and keep dangerous predators out of our communities.”

Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. Senate.

“The greatest country in the history of the world should have 100% certainty that we aren’t letting child predators come here on work visas,” said Senator Rick Scott. “It’s inexcusable that we have let bureaucracy fail our children and put them in danger. It’s time to fix that. Interagency coordination is vital to both our national security and the safety of American children, and we need more of it. I’m proud to join with my colleagues like Sen. Budd and Rep. Gimenez to fix this glaring oversight and keep American kids safe from these despicable people.”

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