The measure would require visitors from 38 countries whose citizens are not usually required to have visas for short visits, including much of western Europe, to obtain visas if they had been to the four countries, deemed to be terrorist hotspots, during the past five years.
It also would also require countries participating in the visa-free program to share information with U.S. authorities about suspected terrorists.
The bill, which passed by 407 to 19, is the second major piece of security legislation approved in the House since the November 13 Paris attacks. President Obama has promised to sign it.
But the White House has promised to veto a second security bill passed by the House, imposing tough new screening requirements on refugees from Syria and Iraq.
The Senate has not voted on either measure.. Both could be included in a trillion-dollar spending bill that Congress must pass in the next few days to keep the government open.
(Based on reporting by Reuters and AP)
rferl.org
9/12/15
--
-
Related:
GR
FR
DE
ES
IT
RU
EU
US Congress backs bill tightening visa waivers...
ReplyDeleteMembers of the US House of Representatives have voted overwhelmingly in favour of a bill that would restrict entry for those who have been to Iraq, Syria, Sudan or Iran since March 2011.
The House members voted 407 in favour and 19 against the bill that tightens the Visa Waiver Programme.
Under the programme, about 20 million visitors from 38 partner countries including Ireland can visit the US without applying for a formal Visa and completing an interview at an Embassy or a Consulate.............http://www.rte.ie/news/2015/1209/752255-us-visas/