Steube Introduces Legislation to Prevent CCP Intellectual Property Theft by Reforming Student Visa Application Process
WASHINGTON, D.C.— U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) today introduced the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Visa Disclosure Act of 2020, which would require aliens applying for certain United States visas to disclose if they receive funds from the Government of the People’s Republic of China or the Chinese Communist Party.
“From using apps like TikTok to bankrolling Communist agents’ visa applications, it is clear that the Chinese Communist Party poses a dire threat to our intellectual property, personal information, and national security,” Steube said. “While my Democrat colleagues fail to address the national security risk from those entering our country with malicious intentions, I am committed to holding the Chinese Communist Party accountable and blocking their espionage tactics.”
Steube’s legislation is part of a greater push from the Republican Study Committee (RSC) and its membership to hold the Chinese Communist Party accountable for their long list of crimes towards the United States, including violating intellectual property laws.
This week, Steube cosponsored U.S. Representative Debbie Lesko’s (R-Ariz.) legislation which would prevent China from stealing U.S. intellectual property by prohibiting the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from issuing U.S. visas to Chinese Communist Party officials, cabinet members of the Chinese government, and active duty members of the People’s Liberation Army.
Recent reports have suggested that the Chinese Communist Party is encouraging citizens to take advantage of certain immigration visas to spy on the United States and engage in intellectual property theft. In July, President Trump ordered the closure of the Chinese consulate in Houston, citing a dramatic uptick in Chinese espionage and IP theft against the United States.
This follows reports that the Chinese Communist Party was using the App, TikTok, to collect data and personal information from U.S. Citizens.
The full text of the legislation can be found here.
