Cicilline-Whitehouse bill passes House 3rd time supporting U.S. Portuguese relations

On December 8th, as part of the annual defense spending bill for Fiscal Year 2023, the House – for the third time this Congress – passed the Advancing Mutual Interests and Growing Our Success (AMIGOS) Act, which was introduced by Congressman David N. Cicilline (D-RI) and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI).
 
This bipartisan, bicameral legislation will extend trade and investor visas to Portuguese citizens to increase international business between the United States and Portugal.
 
“Portuguese-Americans and Portuguese nationals helped make Rhode Island the state we are today,” Congressman Cicilline said. “The members of our thriving Portuguese-American community make rich contributions to the fabric of our state in the arts, culture, business, and public service. Breaking down barriers that currently limit Portuguese investments in American businesses and projects will grow an already strong relationship between our two countries.” 
 
“Generations of Portuguese immigrants have made lasting contributions to Rhode Island’s culture and economy,” said Senator Whitehouse. “Our bipartisan AMIGOS Act strengthens our economic relationship with Portugal and promotes job-creating investments in the United States, and I look forward to getting our bill to the President’s desk.”
 
The legislation would allow Portuguese citizens to apply for trade (E-1) and investor (E-2) temporary entry visas.  These types of visas are eligible to citizens from countries that have treaties of “Friendship, Commerce and Navigation” with the United States.  However, Portugal did not enter into an agreement allowing trade and investor visas before joining the European Union, making the country ineligible to independently enter into such an agreement.
 
Representatives Jim Costa (D-CA), William Keating (D-MA), Ro Khanna (D-CA), and David Valadao (R-CA) and Senator Pat Toomey (R-PA) are all original cosponsors of the legislation.
 
Portugal is an important cultural and business partner of the United States.  Bilateral trade with Portugal reached $8.9 billion in 2019, a six percent increase from the previous year.

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