S. 653 would expand visa waiver program to countries on a probationary basis.
Detailed Summary
Secure Travel and Counterterrorism Partnership Act - Expresses the the sense of Congress that: (1) the United States should modernize the visa waiver program by enhancing program security requirements and extending visa-free travel privileges to nationals of foreign countries that are allies in the war on terrorism; and (2) such expansion will have positive security, economic, and bilateral effects.
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act with respect to the visa waiver program to authorize waiver of low visa refusal rate requirements for a country that meets security and counterterrorism cooperation requirements and has a sustained reduction in visa refusal rates.
Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security to consider visa overstay rates in determining program eligibility.
Provides for the following program security enhancements: (1) implementation of an electronic travel authorization system which shall biographical information; (2) participant country reporting of lost and stolen passports to the U.S. government; (3) participant country acceptance of its citizens or nationals removed from the United States; and (4) security-related information exchange about a country's citizens or nationals traveling to the United States.
Requires the Secretary to establish an exit system that records the departure on a flight leaving the United States of every alien program participant. Requires that such system: (1) match an alien's biometric information against watch lists and immigration information; and (2) compare such biometric information against air carrier manifests to confirm departures.
Status of the Legislation
Latest Major Action: 2/15/2007: Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Points in Favor
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Points Against
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Visitor Comments
L Barnard
We really need to do something to update the Visa Waiver Program, a our current arbitrary practices indicate a War Against Tourism.
Sherry
Someone very important to me has been waiting on a Visa for 3 years. His country is an ally of the U.S. and has troops in Iraq. They are also a Democratic society. As an American, I am welcomed into Europe for a vacation. Why are Europeans not granted the same welcoming? We need to stop slamming doors on the nations who are our friends.
Sherry
That same country also sent aide to Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina. It's embarrassing that they can't come visit.