Press Releases

Washington, D.C. - Today, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) delivered the following statement on the House floor in support of H.R. 2571, the AMIGOS Act:

"H.R. 2571, the 'Advancing Mutual Interests and Growing Our Success Act'—or AMIGOS Act—would allow citizens of Portugal to participate in the E-1 and E-2 visa programs for traders and investors if Portugal provides reciprocal treatment to U.S. citizens.  

"The E-1 'treaty trader' program provides temporary visas to individuals or employees of firms that engage in substantial trade with the United States.  The E-2 'treaty investor' program provides visas to individuals so that they can develop and direct the operations of an enterprise in which they have invested a substantial amount of capital.  

"The United States became Portugal’s largest trading partner outside the European Union in 2015.  Bilateral trade between our countries is growing at a rapid pace, from $4.2 billion in 2015 to $8.9 billion in 2019.

"Unlike most European Union countries, Portugal did not have a bilateral treaty with the United States before joining the European Union.  Now, despite being one of our oldest allies and closest economic partners, they are one of only five European Union countries whose citizens are not eligible for E-1 and E-2 visas.

"This is a bipartisan measure that we all can support.  The bill simply would expand opportunities for Portuguese citizens to invest in the United States, facilitate trade, and create jobs for U.S. workers.  

"The bill also strengthens the E visa programs by ensuring that individuals who obtain the nationality of a treaty country through an investment-based visa have sufficient ties to their new country of nationality before they can qualify for an E-1 or E-2 visa.

"I would like to thank Mr. Cicilline of Rhode Island for championing this issue and working across the aisle to build consensus on this legislation.  H.R. 2571 will improve our economy and strengthen our ties with an important and long-standing ally.