SARFA Act Securing American Research from Foreign Adversaries Act
Impact
If enacted, SB1734 would significantly affect hiring and employment practices within the Department of Energy, specifically targeting foreign nationals who may be working in sensitive positions. It would necessitate that these individuals must successfully pass a polygraph examination to qualify for employment at national laboratories or in other roles with access to sensitive information. The law is designed to ensure that only vetted individuals can handle critical research and data, thus reinforcing the overall security framework of national interests related to energy and technological development.
Summary
The Securing American Research from Foreign Adversaries Act (SB1734) aims to enhance the security protocols of the Department of Energy (DOE) to prevent the theft of government research by foreign nationals from countries deemed a concern. Central to the bill is the requirement that potential and existing employees at national laboratories, who are classified as covered foreign nationals, undergo a qualifying polygraph examination before being granted access to sensitive nonpublic data or areas. This measure is intended to bolster national security and safeguard intellectual property from potential espionage.
Contention
The bill has raised concerns among some legislators and advocacy groups regarding its implications for civil liberties and the employment prospects of foreign nationals. Critics argue that the reliance on polygraph examinations may not be the most effective method of ensuring security and could lead to bias or discrimination against individuals based on their nationality or origin. Furthermore, some fear it may dissuade talented foreign professionals from seeking opportunities within the U.S. energy sector, potentially hampering innovation and collaboration on essential research initiatives.
Secure the Border Act of 2023 This bill addresses issues regarding immigration and border security, including by imposing limits to asylum eligibility. For example, the bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to resume activities to construct a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border; provides statutory authorization for Operation Stonegarden, which provides grants to law enforcement agencies for certain border security operations; prohibits DHS from processing the entry of non-U.S. nationals (aliens under federal law) arriving between ports of entry; limits asylum eligibility to non-U.S. nationals who arrive in the United States at a port of entry; authorizes the removal of a non-U.S. national to a country other than that individual's country of nationality or last lawful habitual residence, whereas currently this type of removal may only be to a country that has an agreement with the United States for such removal; expands the types of crimes that may make an individual ineligible for asylum, such as a conviction for driving while intoxicated causing another person's serious bodily injury or death; authorizes DHS to suspend the introduction of certain non-U.S. nationals at an international border if DHS determines that the suspension is necessary to achieve operational control of that border; prohibits states from imposing licensing requirements on immigration detention facilities used to detain minors; authorizes immigration officers to permit an unaccompanied alien child to withdraw their application for admission into the United States even if the child is unable to make an independent decision to withdraw the application; imposes additional penalties for overstaying a visa; and requires DHS to create an electronic employment eligibility confirmation system modeled after the E-Verify system and requires all employers to use the system.
Relating to the regulation of polygraph examiners by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation and the abolition of the Polygraph Examiners Board.
Relating to the regulation of polygraph examiners by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation and the abolition of the Polygraph Examiners Board.