Today, Congressman Mike Quigley (D–IL)—along with several co-sponsors from both parties—introduced the Visa Waiver Program Enhanced Security and Reform Act. The bill, in consultation with the Departments of Homeland Security (DHS), Justice, and State, offers updated refinements to last year’s H.R. 959. These include several key reforms to modernize the… Read more
By the end of 2011, at least 43 terrorist plots aimed at the United States since 9/11 had been thwarted. The frequency of attempts against the U.S. homeland has increased over the past three years. These numbers are reminders enough that the White House and Congress cannot be complacent—even in… Read more
Testimony before Subcommittee on Immigration Policy and Enforcement Committee on the Judiciary United States House of Representatives December 7, 2011 My name is Dr. James Jay Carafano. I am the Deputy Director of the Kathryn and Shelby Cullom Davis… Read more
Jena Baker McNeill, Homeland Security Policy Analyst at The Heritage Foundation, discusses three ways President-elect Obama can keep his pledge of strengthening America's visa waiver program as a public diplomacy benefit for U.S. allies. … Read more
In a White House Rose Garden ceremony on October 17, President Bush announced that seven countries had met the requirements for admission into the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Within a month citizens from those countries will be allowed to travel to the United States for tourism and business without having to first obtain a visa.… Read more
In December, nine member states of the European Union joined the "Schengen area," a visa-free travel zone. The Schengen agreement comprises efforts to systematically reduce border restrictions across Europe. By finally permitting free travel between states formerly divided by the Iron Curtain, these states are seeking to put the last legacy of the Cold War… Read more
Delivered June 7, 2007 The Heritage Foundation has been an important partner in helping to raise awareness about the need for Visa Waiver Program reform. I appreciate the continuous support Heritage has provided as we have worked to advance my legislation, the Secure Travel and Counterterrorism Partnership Act of 2007. I know we… Read more
To win the war on terrorism, America must show the same self-confidence and courage that helped win the Cold War. We can start by throwing out visa policies that discourage foreigners from visiting their American relatives, going to Disney World or otherwise experiencing our wonderful country firsthand. Currently, the U.S. has agreements with 27 countries… Read more
Since 9/11, Congress has done far too little to encourage foreign visitors to come to the United States. Foreign travel to America has still not recovered to pre-9/11 levels, and congressional inaction threatens to undermine the competitiveness of U.S. society. By developing an action plan to speed the process of… Read more
Senator Mark Kirk (R–IL) and Congressman Mike Quigley (R–IL) returned from a four-day trip to Poland this week. The...… Read more
President Obama’s trip to Poland last week offered a glimmer of hope regarding Poland’s potential membership in the Visa...… Read more
It's official: There are now 100 countries that offer Taiwanese citizens visa-free travel. Malaysia has the honor of...… Read more
Last week Greece was admitted as the 36th member nation of the Visa Waiver Program, (VWP). While this is certainly a...… Read more
The Senate will soon vote on the Travel Promotion Act of 2009. The Act would create a government-run public relations...… Read more
Today is the first day of implementation for the Department of Homeland Security's Electronic System for Travel...… Read more