VWP Security

From the DW:

"US bolsters security requirements for visa-free travel"

The new measures have formed part of a security-focused White House policy to curb irregular migration and increase security. A senior US official said "an adaptive and agile enemy" was the primary reason for the move. The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Friday announced new security requirements for 38 countries whose citizens can currently  travel to the country without visas. The countries, which include Germany and most European Union (EU) member states, must now use US counterterrorism information to screen travelers and launch public information campaigns if 2 percent of their citizens overstay their visas.

New measures:

• The visa-waiver program allows citizens of 38 countries involved in the program to stay in the US for business or tourism for up to 90 days.

• The DHS said Hungary, Greece, Portugal and San Marino are expected to launch public campaigns to inform their citizens as 2 percent of travelers from those countries overstayed their visas.

• Roughly 20 million people travel to the US each year on the visa-waiver program.

Announcing the new measures, Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen said:

• "The United States faces an adaptive and agile enemy, as terrorists continue to explore ways to reach our country and to direct, enable and inspire attacks against us."

• "It's critically important we stay ahead of these threats by improving our security posture.

^ It's important to keep the Visa Waiver Program and to keep those coming into the US by the VWP safe as well as American citizens. Hopefully these new security requirements will be followed by current VWP countries so that their citizens can continue to come to the US. ^

http://www.dw.com/en/us-bolsters-security-requirements-for-visa-free-travel/a-41818834