Export controls

Alternate Titles

• Improvements needed to prevent unauthorized technology releases to foreign nationals in the United States

Description

Countries posing national security concerns to the U.S. could upgrade their military forces with certain technologies having civilian and military (dual-use) applications. The Department of Commerce (Commerce) may require employers to obtain a 'deemed export' license before they can transfer these technologies to foreign nationals in the U.S. The State Department also requires foreign nationals to obtain specialty occupation visas to work in the U.S. in occupations such as engineering, computers, and biotechnology. GAO was asked to examine the risk that foreign nationals in the U.S. may gain unauthorized access to controlled technologies, and the extent to which Commerce and other agencies implemented recommended changes to the deemed export licensing process and enforcement system. GAO analyzed licensing and visa data from Commerce and Homeland Security, respectively; reviewed reports; and met with law enforcement agencies, companies, and universities in Boston, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. Commerce should (1) assess issuance of specialty occupation visas covered by deemed export license applications and (2) report to Congress on how it will implement prior deemed export recommendations as part of the export control reform process.

Subjects