Wexler Introduces Visa-Waiver Legislation
Israel, Greece and other EU Countries Seeking Admission to
Expanded Visa Free Travel Program

(Washington, DC)  Congressman Robert Wexler, Chairman of the Europe Subcommittee and a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, has introduced legislation (H.R. 1465) that would enhance the security measures of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) and expand the program to include countries who are our allies in the war on terror.  The visa waiver program allows citizens from specified countries to travel to the United States without the requirement of a visa.  In 2006, more than 18 million people entered the United States under the VWP to conduct business, travel, and visit friends and family. In November 2006 at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s Summit in Tallin Estonia, President George W. Bush declared his support to expand the VWP.

“I am hopeful this legislation will enable key American allies – including Israel, South Korea, Greece and the ten new European Union Countries – to participate in the Visa Waiver Program” said Wexler on Wednesday.  “This expansion will only add to the program’s positive impact on US diplomatic relations with many of our allies who have stood shoulder to shoulder with America following the tragedy of 9/11.  Additionally, expansion of the VWP will serve to enhance the security of the United States by strengthening cooperation on counterterrorism and information-sharing activities; and countries participating in the program are required meet the highest standards of passport- and airport security.”

Wexler’s legislation would give the Secretary of Homeland Security discretion to designate countries eligible to participate in the VWP, if they satisfactorily reduce their nonimmigrant visa refusal rates, they fully cooperate in counterterrorism efforts, and such waivers will not compromise the security or welfare of the United States. Close allies of the United States, including Israel, South Korea, Greece, Poland, Hungary, Romania, the Czech Republic and other EU countries are among the nations that would be able to take advantage of the Wexler proposal. 

Congressman Wexler is Chairman of the Europe Subcommittee, a senior member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the House Judiciary Committee, and he also sits on the Financial Services Committee.


Please find a copy of the legislation below:


110TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION


H. R. 1465
To provide additional discretion to the Secretary of Homeland Security in designating countries eligible to participate in the visa waiver program under section 217 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, and for other purposes.
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IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
MARCH 9, 2007
Mr. WEXLER introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
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A BILL
To provide additional discretion to the Secretary of Homeland Security in designating countries eligible to participate in the visa waiver program under section 217 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. FINDINGS.
The Congress makes the following findings:
(1) As of the enactment of this Act, the visa waiver program under section 217 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1187) enables citizens of 27 countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business for 90 days or less without obtaining a visa.
(2) In fiscal year 2006, more than 18,300,000 people entered the country under the program.
(3) The visa waiver program provides many benefits for the United States economy and bilateral relationships, and strengthens tourism and business opportunities for American citizens.
(4) The visa waiver program is a substantial expression of the strong ties between the United States and its allies in the global war on terror.
(5) Expansion of the visa waiver program would enhance the security of the United States as well as travelers to the United States.
SEC. 2. ADDITIONAL DISCRETION FOR CONSIDERATION OF VISA REFUSAL RATES.
The Secretary of Homeland Security shall have the authority to waive the requirements of section 217(c)(2)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1187(c)(2)(A)) with respect to a country seeking designation as a program country under section 217(c) of such Act, if the Secretary determines that—
(1) the country has developed a viable plan to meet the requirements within 3 years;
(2) the country has made significant progress in reducing its nonimmigrant visa refusal rate in the previous 2 years;
(3) waiver of the requirements would not compromise the security or welfare of the United States; and
(4) the country has fully cooperated in counterterrorism and information sharing initiatives.
SEC. 3. SECURE TRAVEL STANDARDS REPORTING.
Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State, shall submit a report to the Congress that describes plans for enhancing secure travel standards for program countries designated under section 217(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1187(c)), including the feasibility of instituting an electronic authorization travel system, additional passenger information exchanges, and enhanced airport security standards.

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Congressman Wexler is Chairman of the Europe Subcommittee and a senior member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the House Judiciary Committee; and he also sits on the Financial Services Committee.

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