The US House of Representatives has voted overwhelmingly to tighten Visa rules and restrictions on travel to America by citizens of the 38 nations, including Australia, who are allowed to enter the country without obtaining a Visa.
The bill, the second major piece of security legislation approved in the chamber since the November 13 Paris attacks, passed by 407 to 19 on Tuesday.
Among other things, the measure would require visitors from the visa waiver countries, which include much of western Europe, to obtain a visa to travel to the United States if they had been to Syria, Iraq, Iran or Sudan during the past five years.
It also would also require countries participating in the program to share information with US authorities about suspected terrorists.
“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, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee.
About 20 million visitors a year enter the US under the program, which allows them to stay 90 days. It was started in 1986 to boost tourism and tighten the country’s relationship with its closest allies.
Backing for the other security bill passed in the House, imposing tough new screening requirements on refugees from Syria and Iraq, was far more partisan. Just 47 Democrats joined the 242 Republicans who voted for it and President Barack Obama, a Democrat, promised a veto.
Debate about border controls has grown more acrimonious since last week’s attacks in California by a Muslim couple who pledged allegiance to the Islamic State.
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump proposed that Muslims be banned from entering the US, remarks that drew international condemnation.
The Senate has not scheduled a vote on either measure, and both could be included in a trillion-dollar spending bill that Congress must pass in the next few days in order to keep the government open.
The White House has expressed support for tightening the visa waiver program. Contact us at pure travel to learn more.
Source: Travel Weekly
