Visa Waiver Program

Washington, Jul 9, 2007 -

 In light of recent terror plots in London and Glasgow, U.S. Congressman Phil Gingrey (R-GA) today urged congressional leadership to act on legislation he introduced to suspend the Visa Waiver program.  The program currently allows travelers from 27 nations to enter the U.S. without a visa, widely opening the door for terrorists to enter our country.  In fact, terrorists including Zacarias Moussaoui, Richard Reid and the men who attempted the Fort Dix attack earlier this year all came to the U.S. under the Visa Waiver program.  Gingrey has introduced H.R. 1342, the Secure Entry Act, to suspend the Visa Waiver program until mandated security provisions are in place.

 “The events in Great Britain are a wake-up call,” said Gingrey. “Terrorists don’t just operate in enemy states, but within the borders of our closest allies as well.  In fact, many of today’s terrorist cells are homegrown in Europe, Canada and even the U.S.  Most Americans are shocked to learn that we roll out the welcome mat for terrorists with British or French passports.  What should shock them even more is that Congress has failed to act on very reasonable legislation to fix this gaping hole in our homeland security.  I call on our House leadership to pass the Secure Entry Act, before it is too late.”

 Currently, the Visa Waiver program lacks critical security measures that have been mandated through congressional legislation but not yet implemented.  Gingrey’s bill would suspend the program until these measures are fully operational at every port of entry.  The Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act of 2002 required Visa Waiver travelers to have passports with biometric information, and the 2001 Patriot Act required the Visa Waiver program to have a machine-readable, tamper-resistant biometric identification system.  Neither of these requirements has been met.