United States Government Publishing Office publisher pbl distributor dst United States Government Accountability Office author aut Government Organization text government publication eng GAOREPORTS Legislative Agency Publications gao legislative 2010-08-12 U.S. Government Printing Office 2008-02-28 monographic deposited born digital 18 p. GA 1.13:GAO-08-458T https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-GAO-08-458T P0b002ee180396f0f f:d08458t DGPO 2010-08-12 2011-03-28 GAOREPORTS-GAO-08-458T machine generated eng fdlp REPORT GAOREPORTS-GAO-08-458T GAO-08-458T Border security Data integrity Data transmission Foreign governments Homeland security Illegal aliens Immigrants Immigration International relations International travel Legislation Program evaluation Strategic planning Terrorism Visas Waivers Visa Waiver Program Testimony A81151 The Visa Waiver Program, which enables citizens of participating countries to travel to the United States without first obtaining a visa, has many benefits, yet also presents security, law enforcement, and illegal immigration risks. In August 2007, Congress passed legislation that provides the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with the authority to expand the program to additional countries whose nationals' applications for short-term business and tourism visas were refused between 3 and 10 percent of the time in the prior fiscal year. Countries must also meet certain conditions, and DHS must first complete and certify a number of required actions aimed at enhancing the security of the program. This testimony will focus on one of these required actions--namely, that a system be in place that can verify the departure of 97 percent of foreign nationals who depart through U.S. airports (referred to as an air exit system). Our observations are based on our review of relevant legislation, regulations and agency operating procedures, and prior GAO reports on the Visa Waiver Program and immigrant and visitor entry and exit tracking systems, as well as on discussions with federal agency officials. In commenting on a draft of this statement, DHS emphasized that it had not finalized its plan for certifying the "97 percent" requirement, but that the department believes the current plan would meet the legislative requirement. The Department of State also provided technical comments, which we incorporated, as appropriate. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-GAO-08-458T/html/GAOREPORTS-GAO-08-458T.htm https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-GAO-08-458T/pdf/GAOREPORTS-GAO-08-458T.pdf GAO-08-458T https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-GAO-08-458T Testimony GAO-08-458T; Visa Waiver Program: Limitations with Department of Homeland Security's Plan to Verify Departure of Foreign Nationals; Border security Data integrity Data transmission Foreign governments Homeland security Illegal aliens Immigrants Immigration International relations International travel Legislation Program evaluation Strategic planning Terrorism Visas Waivers Visa Waiver Program Public Law 99-603 Public Law 104-208 Public Law 106-215 Public Law 106-396 Public Law 110-53