HR-2729 : Still Just a Bill

The Carnivals are Real Entertainment Act proposes to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to establish a new nonimmigrant visa category for mobile entertainment workers.

Key provisions of this bill include:

• It creates a new P-4 nonimmigrant status, allowing individuals to enter the United States temporarily and solely for the purpose of performing functions that are integral and essential to the operation of a mobile entertainment provider.
• A "mobile entertainment provider" is defined as a carnival or circus that travels around the United States on a temporary or seasonal basis, or a provider of affiliated services (such as food and game concessions) that travels seasonally or temporarily to support fairs, festivals, or not-for-profit fundraising events.
• "Integral and essential functions" include transporting, assembling, operating, disassembling, and maintaining mobile entertainment attractions, structures, and equipment (like rides, games, and concessions), as well as other necessary operational duties.
• The admission of these P-4 nonimmigrants will be subject to program requirements similar to those governing H-2B nonimmigrants, as specified by the Department of Labor.
• The bill mandates that the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of Labor publish proposed rules for implementing these provisions within 180 days of enactment, with final rules to be published within one year.