DOCSLIB.ORG

The Security of U.S. Visa Programs Hearing

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Security of U.S. Visa Programs Hearing S. Hrg. 114–662 THE SECURITY OF U.S. VISA PROGRAMS HEARING BEFORE THE COMMITTEE ON HOMELAND SECURITY AND GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS UNITED STATES SENATE ONE HUNDRED FOURTEENTH CONGRESS SECOND SESSION MARCH 15, 2016 Available via the World Wide Web: http://www.fdsys.gov/ Printed for the use of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs ( U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE 22–768 PDF WASHINGTON : 2017 For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Publishing Office Internet: bookstore.gpo.gov Phone: toll free (866) 512–1800; DC area (202) 512–1800 Fax: (202) 512–2104 Mail: Stop IDCC, Washington, DC 20402–0001 COMMITTEE ON HOMELAND SECURITY AND GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS RON JOHNSON, Wisconsin Chairman JOHN MCCAIN, Arizona THOMAS R. CARPER, Delaware ROB PORTMAN, Ohio CLAIRE MCCASKILL, Missouri RAND PAUL, Kentucky JON TESTER, Montana JAMES LANKFORD, Oklahoma TAMMY BALDWIN, Wisconsin MICHAEL B. ENZI, Wyoming HEIDI HEITKAMP, North Dakota KELLY AYOTTE, New Hampshire CORY A. BOOKER, New Jersey JONI ERNST, Iowa GARY C. PETERS, Michigan BEN SASSE, Nebraska CHRISTOPHER R. HIXON, Staff Director DANIEL P. LIPS, Policy Director BROOKE N. ERICSON, Deputy Chief Counsel for Homeland Security JOSE´ J. BAUTISTA, Professional Staff Member GABRIELLE A. BATKIN, Minority Staff Director JOHN P. KILVINGTON, Minority Deputy Staff Director HOLLY A. IDELSON, Minority Senior Counsel STEPHEN R. VIN˜ A, Minority Chief Counsel for Homeland Security HARLAN C. GEER, Minority Senior Professional Staff Member LAURA W. KILBRIDE, Chief Clerk BENJAMIN C. GRAZDA, Hearing Clerk (II) C O N T E N T S Opening statements: Page Senator Johnson ............................................................................................... 1 Senator Carper ................................................................................................. 2 Senator Tester .................................................................................................. 3 Senator Sasse .................................................................................................... 17 Senator Booker ................................................................................................. 22 Senator Ernst .................................................................................................... 26 Prepared statements: Senator Johnson ............................................................................................... 35 Senator Carper ................................................................................................. 37 WITNESS TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 2016 David Donahue, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs, U.S. Department of State .................................................................................... 4 Hon. Leon Rodriguez, Director, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, U.S. Department of Homeland Security ............................................................. 6 Hon. Sarah R. Saldan˜ a, Director, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforce- ment, U.S. Department of Homeland Security .................................................. 8 Hon. John Roth, Inspector General, U.S. Department of Homeland Security ... 10 ALPHABETICAL LIST OF WITNESSES Donahue, David: Testimony .......................................................................................................... 4 Prepared statement .......................................................................................... 39 Rodriguez, Hon. Leon: Testimony .......................................................................................................... 6 Prepared statement .......................................................................................... 49 Roth, Hon. John: Testimony .......................................................................................................... 10 Prepared statement .......................................................................................... 65 Saldan˜ a, Hon. Sarah R.: Testimony .......................................................................................................... 8 Prepared statement .......................................................................................... 54 APPENDIX American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) statement submitted for the Record ... 80 Response to post-hearing questions for the Record: Mr. Donahue ..................................................................................................... 86 Mr. Rodriguez ................................................................................................... 122 Ms. Saldan˜ a ...................................................................................................... 169 Mr. Roth ............................................................................................................ 192 (III) THE SECURITY OF U.S. VISA PROGRAMS TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 2016 U.S. SENATE, COMMITTEE ON HOMELAND SECURITY AND GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS, Washington, DC. The Committee met, pursuant to notice, at 10:06 a.m., in room SD–342, Dirksen Senate Office Building, Hon. Ron Johnson, Chair- man of the Committee, presiding. Present: Senators Johnson, Lankford, Ayotte, Ernst, Sasse, Car- per, Tester, Booker, and Peters. OPENING STATEMENT OF CHAIRMAN JOHNSON Chairman JOHNSON. Good morning. This hearing will come to order. I want to, first of all, thank the witnesses for your time and your testimony and for appearing here before us today. We do have rep- resentatives from the State Department (DOS), the U.S. Citizen- ship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). You will be hearing those acro- nyms. There are a lot of acronyms in this business. And then, we also have Mr. John Roth, the Inspector General (IG) for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This hearing is about the security of our U.S. visa systems and programs. I think the potential vulnerabilities came to light, cer- tainly, in the public’s awareness, with the attack on September 11, 2001 (9/11), and the fact that so many of the terrorists that killed so many Americans were here on student visas. And then, we also understood—or became aware of—the reality of visa overstays. So, we started understanding the vulnerabilities there. Back then, we, obviously, had the State Department involved in the acceptance and granting of visas, but we also had Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). You basically had one agency. After 9/11, then we kind of took that apart and set up the De- partment of Homeland Security. Now, we have different agencies. And, I think it is legitimate to ask: Are these agencies working to- gether? Do we have a shared purpose, a shared goal, and a shared mission to, literally, keep this Nation safe? Allow for travel and allow for commerce, but—at the heart of it—are we making sure we can do everything, in an imperfect world, to keep our Nation safe and secure? So, that is really my primary question and the main purpose of this hearing. Are we doing all that we can to screen and vet visa applicants before they enter the country? And, second, how effec- (1) 2 tively are Federal agencies managing their responsibilities and working together—including sharing information—through each step of the visa and immigration process to ensure our security? I would ask that my written opening remarks be entered into the record with consent.1 And, it has been very kindly granted. With that, I will turn it over to Senator Carper. OPENING STATEMENT OF SENATOR CARPER: Senator CARPER. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I want to welcome everybody. Thank you for holding the hearing. Thank you all for joining us. Three of the folks sitting in front of us are folks who came before us a year or two ago to be confirmed for confirmation hearings. And, we very much appreciate your service. And, that is not taking anything away from you, Mr. Donahue, but we do not have jurisdiction over the Department of State. We are working on it, but—— [Laughter.] We are not quite there yet. But, this hearing is the third in a series we have held to explore whether we are doing enough to address concerns that terrorists might try to exploit international travel to infiltrate our country. In the aftermath of the Paris terrorist attacks, this Committee first scrutinized the process in place to screen and vet Syrian refu- gees escaping from the carnage in the Middle East. And, we learned that the U.S. refugee resettlement process involves exten- sive security screening. Syrian refugees, we were told, undergo multiple rounds of screening over an average period of 18 to 24 months—including in-person interviews by immigration analysts and counterterrorism officials trained in spotting fraud and trained in spotting deception. The Committee next looked at our Visa Waiver Program (VWP), which allows citizens of certain nations to travel to the United States for a visit without a visa. And, once it became clear that the Paris terrorists held passports from European countries whose citi- zens enjoy visa waiver privileges, fears, understandably, arose that this program could pose a security threat. We learned that visa waiver travelers seeking to come to the United States endure nearly the same level of scrutiny and vetting as all other travelers. We also learned that, when it comes to secu- rity, nothing is being ‘‘waived,’’ as the name of the program incor- rectly suggests. And, we learned that, in return for their entry into the Visa Waiver Program, countries—and there are
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Client Alert
    September 28, 2006 Resurgens Plaza 945 East Paces Ferry Road Suite 2700 CLIENT ALERT Atlanta, Georgia 30326-1380 404.923.9000 The Department of State (“DOS”) recently published its 150 North Michigan Avenue 35th Floor instructions regarding the Diversity Lottery for 2008 (“DV-2008”). The Chicago, Illinois 60601-7553 U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) recently announced 312.499.1400 that: (a) it is expanding the premium processing service to include three Lincoln Plaza 500 N. Akard Street additional employment-based immigrant visa categories; (b) its district Suite 2700 offices will no longer issue Interim Employment Authorization Documents Dallas, Texas 75201-3306 214.397.4300 (Form I-688B) as of October 1, 2006; and (c) any passport issued on or after Wells Fargo Plaza October 26, 2006, by a Visa Waiver Program (“VWP”) country must be an 1000 Louisiana Suite 5400 e-passport for VWP travelers to be eligible to enter the United States under Houston, Texas 77002-5013 the VWP. The U.S. Department of Labor (“USDOL”) recently 713.750.3100 implemented an online system to provide the general public with 1875 Century Park East Suite 500 information on cases pending at its Backlog Reduction Centers. Two states Los Angeles, California 90067-2506 have passed legislation addressing immigration enforcement issues. In this 310.556.8861 Special Alert, we shall address these and other recent developments in the Wachovia Financial Center 200 South Biscayne Boulevard immigration area. Suite 2100 Miami, Florida 33131 305.982.1520 1. Diversity Visa Lottery 2008 Two Gateway Center 12th Floor The DOS recently published its instructions for the 2008 Newark, New Jersey 07102-5003 973.642.1900 Diversity Lottery (“DV-2008”).
    [Show full text]
  • The Law of Asylum Procedure at the Border: Statutes and Agency Implementation
    The Law of Asylum Procedure at the Border: Statutes and Agency Implementation April 9, 2021 Congressional Research Service https://crsreports.congress.gov R46755 SUMMARY R46755 The Law of Asylum Procedure at the Border: April 9, 2021 Statutes and Agency Implementation Ben Harrington The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) generally provides for the removal of non-U.S. Legislative Attorney citizens or nationals (“aliens,” under the INA) encountered at the border without valid entry documents, unless they qualify for asylum or other humanitarian protections. Two significant questions of legal procedure arise regarding these aliens (referred to here as “undocumented migrants” to distinguish them from aliens encountered in the interior of the United States). First, how should the United States determine which undocumented migrants qualify for humanitarian protections? By trial or some more rapid assessment? Second, how should undocumented migrants be treated while their claims are evaluated? Should the government detain them, release them under supervision, or—as the Trump Administration opted to do—require many of them to wait in Mexico? These questions have become more prominent as the flow of undocumented migrants seeking humanitarian protections (“asylum seekers”) has increased over the past decade. Most undocumented migrants encountered at the border are subject to expedited removal. The statutory framework for expedited removal outlines the following answers to these procedural questions: 1. Screening. Protection claims by undocumented migrants at the border should be screened for a level of potential merit called “credible fear,” and rejected if they lack such potential merit, before being referred to trial-type immigration court proceedings before the Executive Office for Immigration Review within the Department of Justice.
    [Show full text]
  • Case 1:17-Cv-01533-TSC Document 2 Filed 08/03/17 Page 1 of 2
    Case 1:17-cv-01533-TSC Document 2 Filed 08/03/17 Page 1 of 2 IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA ) P.K., et al., ) on behalf of themselves and all others ) similarly situated, ) No. ------- ) Plaintiffs/Petitioners, ) ) V. ) ) REX W. TILLERSON, et al., ) ) Defendants/Respondents. ) ) PLAINTIFFS' MOTION FOR PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION AND EMERGENCY MOTION FOR MANDAMUS RELIEF Plaintiffs hereby move this court for a preliminary injunction and for emergency mandamus relief pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P 65 and LCvR. 65.l(c). In support of their motion, Plaintiffs rely on the accompanying Memorandum, declarations, and exhibits. A proposed order is attached. STATEMENT PURSUANT TO LOCAL RULE 7(m) Pursuant to Local Rule 7(m), Plaintiffs' counsel unsuccessfully attempted to contact Defendants' counsel to determine if Defendants would consent to the relief requested in this motion. 1 Case 1:17-cv-01533-TSC Document 2 Filed 08/03/17 Page 2 of 2 July 31, 2017 Respectfully submitted, -~ Samer E. Khalaf (pro hac vice pending) Matthew E. Price (DC Bar# 996158) Abed A. Ayoub Max J. Minzner (pro hac vice pending) Yolanda Rondon JENNER & BLOCK LLP AMERICAN-ARAB ANTI-DISCRIMINATION 1099 New York Ave. NW Suite 900 COMMITTEE Washington, DC 20001 1705 DeSales Street, N.W., Suite 500 Tel. 202-639-6000 Washington, D.C. 20036 Fax: 202-639-6066 Tel: 202-244-2990 Email: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Karen C. Tumlin Omar C. Jadwat Esther Sung AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION NATIONAL lMMIGRA TION LAW CENTER FOUNDATION 3435 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 1600 125 Broad Street, 18th Floor Los Angeles, CA 90010 New York, NY 10004 (213) 639-3900 Tel: (212) 549-2600 [email protected] Fax: (212) 549-2654 [email protected] [email protected] Justin B.
    [Show full text]
  • Visa Waiver Program
    Visa Waiver Program Alison Siskin Specialist in Immigration Policy February 12, 2014 Congressional Research Service 7-5700 www.crs.gov RL32221 Visa Waiver Program Summary The visa waiver program (VWP) allows nationals from certain countries to enter the United States as temporary visitors (nonimmigrants) for business or pleasure without first obtaining a visa from a U.S. consulate abroad. Temporary visitors for business or pleasure from non-VWP countries must obtain a visa from Department of State (DOS) officers at a consular post abroad before coming to the United States. Concerns have been raised about the ability of terrorists to enter the United States under the VWP, because the VWP bypasses the first step by which foreign visitors are screened for admissibility to enter the United States. Nonetheless, there is interest in the VWP as a mechanism to promote tourism and commerce. In addition to increasing tourism, the inclusion of countries in the VWP may help foster positive relations between the United States and those countries, facilitate information sharing, and ease consular office workloads abroad. As of January 2014, 37 countries participate in the VWP. In FY2012, there were 19.1 million visitors who entered the United States under this program, constituting 40% of all overseas visitors. To qualify for the VWP, statute specifies that a country must offer reciprocal privileges to U.S. citizens; have had a nonimmigrant refusal rate of less than 3% for the previous year; issue their nationals machine-readable passports that incorporate biometric identifiers; certify that it is developing a program to issue tamper-resident, machine- readable visa documents that incorporate biometric identifiers which are verifiable at the country’s port of entry; and not compromise the law enforcement or security interests of the United States by its inclusion in the program.
    [Show full text]
  • CBP Offers Flexibility to Departing Visa Waiver Program Travelers | U.S
    4/20/2020 CBP Offers Flexibility to Departing Visa Waiver Program Travelers | U.S. Customs and Border Protection Official website of the Department of Homeland Security (https://www.facebook.com/CBPgov/) (https://www.instagram.com/cbpgov/) (https://www.flickr.com/photos/cbpphotos/) (https://twitter.com/cbp) (https://www.linkedin.com/company/2997?trk=tyah) (https://www.youtube.com/user/customsborderprotect) U.S. Customs and ( https(/)Border://public Protection.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDHSCBP/subscriber/new) (/) CBP Offers Flexibility to Departing Visa Waiver Program Travelers Release Date: April 17, 2020 Travelers Affected by Coronavirus May Apply for Extended Term of Admission WASHINGTON — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced today that Visa Waiver Program (/travel/international-visitors/visa-waiver-program)travelers who have been granted satisfactory departure may apply for an additional 30-day extension of their admission period if they remain unable to depart the United States because of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The extension grants flexibility to Visa Waiver Program travelers who have difficulty returning to their countries due to COVID-19 related travel restrictions, flight cancellations or illness. Travelers who are granted satisfactory departure will have an additional 30 days to depart the United States aer their lawful period of admission concludes. Visa Waiver Program travelers may seek satisfactory departure by contacting: 1. Any local CBP Port of Entry (/contact/ports) or Deferred Inspection Site (/contact/ports/deferred- inspection-sites); or 2. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Contact Center (https://www.uscis.gov/contactcenter). Travelers should be prepared to provide their passport number when submitting their request.
    [Show full text]
  • Expedited Removal of Aliens: Legal Framework
    Expedited Removal of Aliens: Legal Framework Updated October 8, 2019 Congressional Research Service https://crsreports.congress.gov R45314 SUMMARY R45314 Expedited Removal of Aliens: Legal Framework October 8, 2019 The federal government has broad authority over the admission of non-U.S. nationals (aliens) seeking to enter the United States. The Supreme Court has repeatedly held that the government Hillel R. Smith may exclude such aliens without affording them the due process protections that traditionally Legislative Attorney apply to persons physically present in the United States. Instead, aliens seeking entry are entitled only to those procedural protections that Congress has expressly authorized. Consistent with this broad authority, Congress established an expedited removal process for certain aliens who have arrived in the United States without permission. In general, aliens whom immigration authorities seek to remove from the United States may challenge that determination in administrative proceedings with attendant statutory rights to counsel, evidentiary requirements, and appeal. Under the streamlined expedited removal process created by the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 and codified in Section 235(b)(1) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), however, certain aliens deemed inadmissible by an immigration officer may be removed from the United States without further administrative hearings or review. INA Section 235(b)(1) applies only to certain aliens who are inadmissible into the United States because they either lack valid entry documents or have attempted to procure their admission through fraud or misrepresentation. The statute generally permits the government to summarily remove those aliens if they are arriving in the United States.
    [Show full text]
  • Teaching Immigration with the Immigrant Stories Project LESSON PLANS
    Teaching Immigration with the Immigrant Stories Project LESSON PLANS 1 Acknowledgments The Immigration History Research Center and The Advocates for Human Rights would like to thank the many people who contributed to these lesson plans. Lead Editor: Madeline Lohman Contributors: Elizabeth Venditto, Erika Lee, and Saengmany Ratsabout Design: Emily Farell and Brittany Lynk Volunteers and Interns: Biftu Bussa, Halimat Alawode, Hannah Mangen, Josefina Abdullah, Kristi Herman Hill, and Meredith Rambo. Archival Assistance and Photo Permissions: Daniel Necas A special thank you to the Immigration History Research Center Archives for permitting the reproduction of several archival photos. The lessons would not have been possible without the generous support of a Joan Aldous Diversity Grant from the University of Minnesota’s College of Liberal Arts. Immigrant Stories is a project of the Immigration History Research Center at the University of Minnesota. This work has been made possible through generous funding from the Digital Public Library of America Digital Hubs Pilot Project, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Humanities. About the Immigration History Research Center Founded in 1965, the University of Minnesota's Immigration History Research Center (IHRC) aims to transform how we understand immigration in the past and present. Along with its partner, the IHRC Archives, it is North America's oldest and largest interdisciplinary research center and archives devoted to preserving and understanding immigrant and refugee life. The IHRC promotes interdisciplinary research on migration, race, and ethnicity in the United States and the world. It connects U.S. immigration history research to contemporary immigrant and refugee communities through its Immigrant Stories project.
    [Show full text]
  • Immigrants and Marijuana | May 2021 1
    Practice Advisory | May 2021 IMMIGRANTS AND MARIJUANA By Kathy Brady, Zachary Nightingale, and Matt Adams Table of Contents1 I. Overview: Immigrants and Legalized Marijuana .................................................................. 3 II. Federal and State Marijuana Laws ....................................................................................... 4 III. Removal Grounds and Good Moral Character Bars Triggered by Marijuana ..................... 5 A. Conviction ....................................................................................................................... 5 B. Admitting Commission of a State or Federal Drug Offense ........................................... 7 C. Immigration Authorities Gain “Reason to Believe” the Person Participated in Trafficking ............................................................................. 8 D. Lawful Employment in the Cannabis Industry ................................................................ 8 E. Finding of Addiction or Abuse ......................................................................................... 9 F. Only the Above Cause Inadmissibility ............................................................................. 10 IV. Defend Immigrants from Becoming Inadmissible for Admitting to Marijuana Conduct............................................................................................ 10 A. Inform the Client about the Law ...................................................................................... 10 B. Instruct the Client
    [Show full text]
  • Page 211 TITLE 8—ALIENS and NATIONALITY § 1187 § 1187. Visa Waiver Program for Certain Visitors
    Page 211 TITLE 8—ALIENS AND NATIONALITY § 1187 2, 2002]. Until such regulations are promulgated, the country has issued that do not meet the Attorney General shall not deny a petition filed or requirement of subparagraph (A). pending under section 216A(c)(1)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1186b(c)(1)(A)) that re- (4) Executes immigration forms lates to an eligible alien described in section 11031, or The alien before the time of such admission on an application filed or pending under section 245 of completes such immigration form as the At- such Act (8 U.S.C. 1255) that relates to an eligible alien torney General shall establish. described in section 11032. Until such regulations are promulgated, the Attorney General shall not initiate or (5) Entry into the United States proceed with removal proceedings under section 240 of If arriving by sea or air, the alien arrives at the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1229a) the port of entry into the United States on a that relate to an eligible alien described in section 11031 or 11032. carrier, including any carrier conducting oper- ations under part 135 of title 14, Code of Fed- ‘‘SEC. 11034. DEFINITIONS. eral Regulations, or a noncommercial aircraft ‘‘Except as otherwise provided, the terms used in this that is owned or operated by a domestic cor- chapter shall have the meaning given such terms in section 101(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act poration conducting operations under part 91 1 (8 U.S.C.
    [Show full text]
  • Welcome to America - 2020
    CANADIAN DEFENCE LIAISON STAFF (WASHINGTON) WELCOME TO AMERICA - 2020 1 A WORD FROM THE COMMANDER OF CDLS(W) Canadian Defence État-major de liaison des Liaison Staff (Washington) Forces canadiennes (Washington) Embassy of Canada Ambassade du Canada 501 Pennsylvania Ave NW 501 Pennsylvania Ave NW Washington DC USA Washington DC USA 20001-2114 20001-2114 5600-3 (COMD) 20 May 2020 WELCOME TO AMERICA Welcome to the United States! I extend to you my congratulations on being selected to represent the Cana- dian Armed Forces during your international posting. You fill a vital role herein the U.S. whether you are posted with Attaché or Support Services related duties, as an Exchange Officer, Liaison Officer or student you have a significant and important responsibility as facilitators for Canada-U.S. relations. You and your family are not only to work in the position for which you have been selected, but also as “ambassadors” of Canada and the Canadian Armed Forces. This is an important role, and one that can set the tone for other Canadians who will follow after you. An OUTCAN posting presents unique challenges and wonderful opportunities. Your posting to the United Stated will be challenging and rewarding; the opportunities at the professional, personal, and family levels are immense. I encourage you to embrace the full spectrum of opportunities open to you and your family. There are many resources available to assist you during your posting including our superb Military Family Services team. I encourage you to use these services and to raise any concerns you have with my team here at CDLS(W).
    [Show full text]
  • Visa Waiver Program
    Visa Waiver Program Alison Siskin Specialist in Immigration Policy January 15, 2013 Congressional Research Service 7-5700 www.crs.gov RL32221 CRS Report for Congress Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress Visa Waiver Program Summary The visa waiver program (VWP) allows nationals from certain countries to enter the United States as temporary visitors (nonimmigrants) for business or pleasure without first obtaining a visa from a U.S. consulate abroad. Temporary visitors for business or pleasure from non-VWP countries must obtain a visa from Department of State (DOS) officers at a consular post abroad before coming to the United States. Concerns have been raised about the ability of terrorists to enter the United States under the VWP, because the VWP bypasses the first step by which foreign visitors are screened for admissibility to enter the United States. Nonetheless, the current economic climate has heightened interest in the VWP as a mechanism to promote tourism and commerce. In addition to increasing tourism, the inclusion of countries in the VWP may help foster positive relations between the United States and those countries, facilitate information sharing, and ease consular office workloads abroad. As of December 2012, 37 countries participate in the VWP. Taiwan, the most recent entrant, was designated a program country on October 2, 2012. In FY2011, there were 18.3 million visitors who entered the United States under this program, constituting 40% of all overseas visitors. To qualify for the VWP, statute specifies that a
    [Show full text]
  • DHS Announces Further Travel Restrictions for the Visa Waiver Program
    Appeal:5/24/2017 17-1351 Doc: 297-1DHS A n n o u n c e s FFiled:urther Tr a05/25/2017vel Restrictions f o r t h e Pg:Visa W1a iofver 20Program | Homeland Security Official website of the Department of Homeland Security Contact Us Quick Links Site Map A­Z Index Archived Content In an effort to keep DHS.gov current, the archive contains content from a previous administration or is otherwise outdated. DHS Announces Further Travel Restrictions for the Visa Waiver Program Release Date: February 18, 2016 For Immediate Release DHS Press Office Contact: 202-282-8010 WASHINGTON—The Department of Homeland Security today announced that it is continuing its implementation of the Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015 with the addition of Libya, Somalia, and Yemen as three countries of concern, limiting Visa Waiver Program travel for certain individuals who have traveled to these countries. Pursuant to the Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security had sixty days to determine whether additional countries or areas of concern should be subject to the travel or dual nationality restrictions under the Act. After careful consideration, and in https://www.dhs.gov/news/2016/02/18/dhs­announces­further­travel­restrictions­visa­waiver­program 1/3 Appeal:5/24/2017 17-1351 Doc: 297-1DHS A n n o u n c e s FFiled:urther Tr a05/25/2017vel Restrictions f o r t h e Pg:Visa W2a iofver 20Program | Homeland Security consultation with the Director of National Intelligence and the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Homeland Security has determined that Libya, Somalia, and Yemen be included as countries of concern, specifically for individuals who have traveled to these countries since March 1, 2011.
    [Show full text]