Virginia Rep. Cline introduces legislation to help protect Americans from foreign espionage

Congressman Ben Cline, R-Va., has introduced legislation to protect Americans from being spied on. 

“For years, the Chinese Communist Party has actively engaged in espionage efforts to infiltrate our society, steal our intellectual property, and gain our country’s secrets, posing a serious threat to our national security,” Cline said in an interview with The Daily Caller.

The legislation, first obtained by The Caller, would not allow aliens to get a visa if they are suspected of have participated in espionage or intellectual property theft by an immigration official, including the attorney general or the secretary of Homeland Security.

“It is far past time we strengthen our immigration laws and crackdown on foreign espionage by denying those who attempt to spy or steal from the United States from entering our country,” Cline told the outlet. 

National security has been a serious concern for conservative lawmakers, specifically with the crisis at the southern border with record numbers of illegal immigrants entering the country. 

In the third GOP primary debate, foreign affairs and national security were major topics of the evening.