releases: https://www.donnelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press/donnelly-supports-bipartisan-legislation-to-strengthen-visa-waiver-program-
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://www.donnelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press/donnelly-supports-bipartisan-legislation-to-strengthen-visa-waiver-program- | Donnelly Supports Bipartisan Legislation To Strengthen Visa Waiver Program | 2015-12-03 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | IN | Joe Donnelly | D000607 | www.donnelly.senate.gov | legacy | Donnelly Supports Bipartisan Legislation To Strengthen Visa Waiver Program After briefings with Department of Homeland Security and Department of State, Senator says refugee program should continue Thursday, December 3, 2015 Washington, D.C. As part of his efforts to review ways to strengthen our national security in the wake of the Paris terrorist attacks, U.S. Senator Donnelly announced today his support for bipartisan legislation that would enhance the security of the Visa Waiver Program. The legislation aims to prevent terrorists from entering the United Statesby barring individuals who have traveled to Iraq or Syria in the past five years from using the Visa Waiver Program, requiring travelers using the program to provide additional information before they travel, and increasing information-sharing between countries that participate in the Visa Waiver Program. Donnelly said, The safety of Hoosiers is my top priority. I am supporting bipartisan legislation that would strengthen our Visa Waiver Program because we should ensure we are doing everything we can to further enhance our national security. Donnelly also focused on efforts to address recent concerns expressed about the refugee resettlement program. I have worked extensively to review our screening process for refugees to enter into the United States and Indiana. In recent weeks, I have had conversations and briefings with the Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson and other officials from DHS and the Department of State. I feel confident after this review that the refugee screening process is exhaustive and utilizes the best information, technology, and appropriate caution to ensure the security of the United States and our Hoosier state. I believe that, in light of the security processes, extensive reviews, and safety steps put in place, that the refugee program should be allowed to move forward. BACKGROUND The Visa Waiver Program currently allows citizens from more than three dozen countries to travel to the United States for 90 days or less without securing a visa. The Visa Waiver Program Security Enhancement Act currently has 18 cosponsors, including twelve Democrats, five Republicans, and one Independent. Senator Dan Coats (R-IN) is among the Republican cosponsors of the bill. The Visa Waiver Program Security Enhancement Actwould enhance the security of the Visa Waiver Program by: Requiring individuals who have traveled to Syria or Iraq in the past five years to acquire a traditional tourist visa instead of traveling without a visa under the visa waiver program. This process requires an in-person interview with an American consular officer; Requiring travelers using the visa waiver program to submit biometric information, in the form of fingerprints and a photograph, before they travel to the U.S.; Requiring all visa waiver travelers to use an electronic passport, which are more secure and harder to tamper with; and Requiring increased intelligence-sharing between visa waiver program countries and the U.S. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |