releases: http://upton.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398553
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| http://upton.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398553 | Upton Applauds Passage of Legislation to Strengthen Visa Waiver Program | 2015-12-08 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MI | Fred Upton | U000031 | upton.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. Congressman Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, applauded the passage of H.R. 158, the Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015, sponsored by Rep. Candice Miller, R-Michigan. The legislation aims to secure the United States international borders to prevent terrorists and instruments of terrorism from entering the U.S. and was advanced on the House floor today by a bipartisan vote of 407-19. In this current climate of terrorism, we must provide those working to keep us safe all the tools needed to protect us from international vulnerabilities within our Visa Waiver Program, said Upton. This bill strengthens the security of our Visa Waiver Program so that we protect our national security and enhance our safety. I applaud the passage of this thoughtful, bipartisan piece of legislation and want to thank Congresswoman Miller for her diligent work in making it a reality. Among other provisions, the legislation requires countries participating in our Visa Waiver Program to continually share terrorism and foreign traveler data with the U.S. and requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to suspend their participation if they do not meet this requirement. It also requires all Visa Waiver Program travelers use Electronic Passports, e-passports, with biometric enabled chips by April 1, 2016 and would require countries to have in place mechanisms to validate e-passports. It would also disqualify from the Visa Waiver Program anyone who has traveled to Syria or Iraq within the last five years. The Visa Waiver Program was created in 1986, and allows more than 20 million people annually from 38 participating countries to more easily travel to the U.S. for up to 90 days. Instead of going to a U.S. consulate or embassy, citizens of participating countries must provide detailed background information that is then screened by U.S. security systems. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |