The new rules, phased in under an anti-terrorism law passed in December, are created to prevent people radicalized overseas, from entering the US. The author of the bill, Rep. Candice Miller (R-Mich.), along with House Homeland Security Chairman Michael McCaul (R-Texas), have accused the Obama administration of violating the law by allowing for exceptions.
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The State Department stressed that most travellers will be able to easily obtain a visa and that the new rules are not a travel ban.
The changes only affect a small number of Europeans, but it has prompted great concern in countries whose citizens generally enjoy visa-free travel to the United States. Dual nationals and travelers who have spent time in the listed countries will have to go through a full screening process and will no longer be eligible for expedited electronic processing.
The US said its embassies were ready to speed up applications for anyone affected by the changes who needs a US visa for urgent business, medical, or humanitarian travel to the US.
The United States began implementing stricter visa restrictions under the Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act 2015 on Thursday, and this could prove hard for Australian travellers and Australians with dual citizenships.
The White House announced new enhanced security measures for the nation’s visa waiver program, which has come under scrutiny in the wake of the Paris terrorist attacks.
The US said certain people will have these restrictions waived such as those who travelled for military or government purposes.
Critics in Congress objected to the administration’s announcement that it has the right to issue waivers for those classes of travelers.
– A law already in place is created to keep Europeans who have fought for the Islamic State group from entering the U.S.by putting stricter limits on who can travel to the USA without a visa. Toner said the State Department was ramping up its support at embassies and consulates throughout Europe to manage the increased workload.
Homeland Security will outline how they will phase in the new rule. This is not a difference of opinion over statutory interpretation, it is a clear contradiction of the law and the agreement we reached with the White House.
Furious Republicans assailed the Obama administration Thursday for making changes to a visa entry program for foreign tourists that they characterized as illegal.
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U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) welcomes more than a million passengers arriving to the United States every day and is committed to facilitating legitimate travel while maintaining the highest standards of security and border protection.
