Question of the Week: Visa Waiver Program

These questions are culled from phone calls, letters, faxes and e-mails sent to Rep. Gallegly's Camarillo, Solvang, and Washington offices. Each week Rep. Gallegly adds another question and answer. Please add your comments.

October 7, 2011

Question: Is the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) a threat to our national security?

Answer: Most foreign nationals traveling to the U.S. must obtain a visa before entering the country. However, the VWP allows foreign citizens to enter the U.S. without a visa. Any country that participates in the VWP must also allow U.S. citizens to enter its country without a visa. This was established to develop stronger relations with other countries by promoting tourism and commerce, aiding in information sharing, and easing the workload for consulate offices abroad. For example countries such as the U.K. and France are part of the program. However, countries such as China and Russia are not eligible for the VWP.

Earlier this week, the Foreign Affairs Committee, of which I am the Vice Chairman, considered legislation that would expand the VWP to Taiwan. Although Taiwan is an ally, expanding the VWP beyond the current participants could present a threat to our nation's security because it allows the foreign national to bypass the person-to-person screening process at our consulates before entering the U.S. This poses a potential threat of foreign terrorists entering our country through a nation that is part of the VWP.

As Chairman of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration Policy and Enforcement, I will fight any expansion of the VWP.

For more information on my positions on immigration, please see my Key Issue: Illegal Immigration page.

For previous Questions of the Week chronologically and by topic, please see my Questions of the Week page.