Visa Waiver Program: Making Entry to the US Easier
February 7, 2012 – The Visa Waiver Program Enhanced Security and Reform Act was introduced today by Congressman Mike Quigley (D-IL) along with co-sponsors from both parties. With consultation with the Departments of Homeland and Security, Justice, and State, the bill will offer refinements to HR. 959 of last year. Among these refinements include modernizing the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) and an updated eligibility criteria and the reinstatement of the waiver authority of the Secretary of Homeland Security.
The VWP
The VWP, co-sponsored by Representatives Steve Chabot, IIeana Ros-Lehtinen, Dan Burton, Gregory Meeks, and Brian Higgins, was first created in 1986. It allows passport holders of member countries entry to the United States without presenting a visa for about 90 days.
And for a country to be a member of the VWP, it must have (1) a specific non-immigrant refusal rate, (2) it must issue secure machine-readable biometric passports, and (3) meet a determination that membership does not present any threat to US law enforcement and security interests.
In order to enter the US under the VWP, a citizen must first apply for Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). This screens applicants who do not pose any threat to US security. And once they are approved for esta visa, they can already enter the US without visa for up to two years.
However, it is reminded that the esta application for esta to USA does not guarantee entry to the United States as holders are still subject to the scrutiny of immigration officials at the port of entry.
About 16.2 million visitors under VWP went to the US in 2009 according to the Congressional Research Service’s latest figures. This makes up for 51 percent of all foreign visitors to the US in the same year.
The VWP is also expected to enhance the US national security as member-countries are expected to meet high standards of law enforcement.
Waiting to join the VWP are Croatia, Poland, Bulgaria, and Romania. But even as the VWP has been put on hold, congress may end the waiting game anytime soon considering the benefits of the program.
Source:
heritage.org
