Student Visa Integrity Act of 2026

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H.R. 7063 Introduced in House (IH)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 7063 To improve student and exchange visitor visa programs. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES January 14, 2026 Mr. Gill of Texas (for himself, Mr. Nehls, and Mr. Collins) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To improve student and exchange visitor visa programs. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Student Visa Integrity Act of 2026''. SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. In this Act: (1) SEVIS.--The term ``SEVIS'' means the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System of the Department of Homeland Security. (2) SEVP.--The term ``SEVP'' means the Student and Exchange Visitor Program of the Department of Homeland Security. SEC. 3. INCREASED CRIMINAL PENALTIES. Section 1546(a) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking ``10 years'' and inserting ``15 years (if the offense was committed by an owner, official, employee, or agent of an educational institution with respect to such institution's participation in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program), 10 years''. SEC. 4. ACCREDITATION OF ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS. The Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.) is amended-- (1) in section 101(a) (8 U.S.C. 1101(a))-- (A) in paragraph (15)(F)(i)-- (i) by striking ``section 214(l)'' and inserting ``section 214(m)''; (ii) by inserting ``language training program,'' a