In the aftermath of the deadly attacks in Brussels, the media and politicians have turned their criticism back to the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). While there is an understandable and often noble desire to do something after a terrorist attack, Congress should make sure that the policies it adopts strengthen the security of the U.S., not undermine it.
Attack in Brussels
In Belgium, at least three bombs went off at two locations—the Zaventem Airport and the Maalbeek metro station. So far at least 30 are dead and hundreds wounded. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those harmed by this senseless and tragic violence.
With this horrible attack in the forefront of our minds, American leaders need to decide how to improve our counterterrorism efforts. There is no doubt that there are things we can do to improve our security, but clamping down on the Visa Waiver Program is not one of them.
The Visa Waiver Program
The Visa Waiver Program allows individuals from trusted countries to travel to the U.S. without a visa—but not with vetting. Those who enter the U.S. through the Visa Waiver Program are checked against all the same databases and watch lists as those using the traditional visa process, but they do not need to visit a U.S. consulate for an interview. In exchange, Visa Waiver Program countries share information on lost and stolen passports, serious criminals, and known and suspected terrorists, as well as improve their airport security and provide U.S. citizens with reciprocal visa-free travel. No program is perfect, certainly, but the Visa Waiver Program does promise these great benefits.
Sadly, some politicians view the Visa Waiver Program as a threat and have called for additional restrictions. Such efforts will only reduce the program’s benefits.
For example, after the attacks in Paris and San Bernardino, Congress passed additional restrictions on the Visa Waiver Program for those who had traveled to countries like Iran, Syria, and Iraq, or hold dual citizenship there. These changes negatively affected many innocent individuals in VWP-member countries and are doing little to stop those terrorists of whom Western intelligence is unaware. In addition, the EU is now threatening to suspend visa-free travel to Europe for U.S. citizens as a result of these restrictions.
Strengthen U.S. Security, Expand the Visa Waiver Program
Policymakers should make decisions that advance the security and welfare of the U.S. The Visa Waiver Program is part of the solution, not part of the problem. Moving forward, the U.S. should be looking to judiciously expand the Visa Waiver Program to increase the benefits from the program. The U.S. should also provide the intelligence community with the resources and tools it needs to protect America from terrorists, whether they are in the country already or are seeking to come to the U.S. via the Visa Waiver Program or the traditional visa process.
