110 HR 1465 IH: To provide additional discretion to the Secretary of U.S. House of Representatives 2007-03-09 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I 110th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1465 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 9, 2007 Mr. Wexler introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary A BILL To provide additional discretion to the Secretary of Homeland Security in designating countries eligible to participate in the visa waiver program under section 217 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, and for other purposes.

1.

Findings

The Congress makes the following findings: (1)As of the enactment of this Act, the visa waiver program under section 217 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1187) enables citizens of 27 countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business for 90 days or less without obtaining a visa. (2)In fiscal year 2006, more than 18,300,000 people entered the country under the program. (3)The visa waiver program provides many benefits for the United States economy and bilateral relationships, and strengthens tourism and business opportunities for American citizens. (4)The visa waiver program is a substantial expression of the strong ties between the United States and its allies in the global war on terror. (5)Expansion of the visa waiver program would enhance the security of the United States as well as travelers to the United States.

2.

Additional discretion for consideration of visa refusal rates

The Secretary of Homeland Security shall have the authority to waive the requirements of section 217(c)(2)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1187(c)(2)(A)) with respect to a country seeking designation as a program country under section 217(c) of such Act, if the Secretary determines that— (1)the country has developed a viable plan to meet the requirements within 3 years; (2)the country has made significant progress in reducing its nonimmigrant visa refusal rate in the previous 2 years; (3)waiver of the requirements would not compromise the security or welfare of the United States; and (4)the country has fully cooperated in counterterrorism and information sharing initiatives.

3.

Secure travel standards reporting

Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State, shall submit a report to the Congress that describes plans for enhancing secure travel standards for program countries designated under section 217(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1187(c)), including the feasibility of instituting an electronic authorization travel system, additional passenger information exchanges, and enhanced airport security standards.