House Votes To Strengthen Security Of The Visa Waiver Program

The VWP, created in 1986, currently allows citizens from all 38 participating countries who have a valid passport and pass security screenings to travel to the U.S. for up to 90 days for business or tourism without obtaining a visa.

A bill was passed overwhelmingly by the House on Tuesday that tightens control of the Visa Waiver Program that allows travel from some countries into the U.S. without the obtaining of a visa from a U.S. consulate or embassy.

"As a Congress, we have no more important responsibility than to protect the American people from all enemies foreign and domestic". VWP countries must participate in security reviews every other year, offer reciprocal visa-free travel to U.S. citizens, and share counterterrorism and law enforcement information with the U.S.

Some lawmakers said they also planned to re-examine a visa that Tashfeen Malik used to come to the country.

"In the aftermath of the Paris attacks, perpetrated partially by radicalized citizens from visa waiver countries, it is clear that more must be done to ensure Americans' safety", added Rep. Vicky Hartzler, (R) Missouri - 4th District. Under the current program, some participating countries have refused to disclose suspected names in the U.S. intelligence community, issued "E-passports" without fraud protections, and/or have failed to run watch-list names through trusted databases. Countries would be required to submit information about lost or stolen passports to the International Criminal Police Organization, otherwise known as INTERPOL.

GettyEven aid-workers and journalists will have to apply for a visa

'This legislation will help close gaping security gaps and improve our ability to stop dangerous individuals before they reach our shores, ' said Republican Representative Michael McCaul, the House Homeland Security Committee chairman.

Anyone who lives in or has been to Iraq or Syria in the last five years would need to get a visa. Today, the House has taken further action to address the threat of potential terrorists holding western passports by strengthening the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).

The U.S. Travel Association backed the House bill, rather than a Senate proposal from Democrat Dianne Feinstein and Republican Jeff Flake that would also require the collection of biometric data.

Minnesota Democratic Rep. Keith Ellison told the Associated Press that the bill is too broad and should include exceptions for journalists and researchers.

 

By a 407-to-19 margin, the House passed the measure with broad bi-partisan support and the White House has indicated that the president backs the legislation, as well.