NAHJ filed a comment today with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security opposing a proposal to restrict I visa & require foreign journalists working in the U.S. to renew every 240 days. Submitted via regulations.gov:
The National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) opposes proposed changes by the DHS, which would require foreign correspondents to renew their I visa every 240 days. This unnecessary and unexplained change gives the U.S. government an easy tool to restrict foreign journalists whose work they may deem unfavorable, and other governments leeway for intimidation or physical violence. It is also unclear how a possible extension is reached and what happens after the extension period has elapsed.
The proposal cites its motivation “to encourage program compliance, reduce fraud, and enhance national security.” Yet, the number of I visas issued annually is only 11,000, and there has not been any evidence of significant abuse that would justify a restriction on the media.
Several members of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists have feared this may inhibit their reporting because they depend on the I visa to do their job.
Foreign news correspondents commonly remain for multiple years, a necessary part of an individual journalists process to better understand the United Nations and U.S. organizations to provide fair and accurate coverage to global readers, listeners, and viewers.
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About the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ)
The National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) is the largest organization of Latino journalists in the United States and dedicated to the recognition and professional advancement of Hispanics in the news industry. The mission of NAHJ is to increase the number of Latinos in the newsrooms and to work toward fair and accurate representation of Latinos in the news media. Established in April 1984, NAHJ created a national voice and unified vision for all Hispanic journalists. NAHJ has over 3,200 members, including working journalists, journalism students, other media-related professionals, and journalism educators. For more information please visit NAHJ.org or follow on Twitter @NAHJ.
Media Contact:
BA Snyder
Veritas Group for NAHJ
512.630.6337
BA@VeritasAustin.com
