Rep. Miller pushes anti-terrorism protections for U.S. Visa program



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Congresswoman Candice Miller this week stepped up her push to add anti-terrorism measures to the U.S. Visa Waiver Program and crack down on countries that are not cooperative.

The Harrison Township Republican held her second House subcommittee hearing on the subject, receiving testimony from several private sector experts on travel. A prior hearing of the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security, which Miller chairs, heard from government authorities, particularly officials within the Department of Homeland Security.

In the wake of the rise of ISIS (or ISIL), the lawmaker has introduced a bill that would make it more difficult for terrorist elements to make their way into the U.S. by first passing through Europe or other Western nations.

Tens of thousands of foreign fighters have been recruited by ISIS from France, the United Kingdom, Belgium and Canada.

“Many foreign fighters could be just one flight away, bringing with them the skills, training, ideology and commitment to killing Americans (which) they learned overseas,” Miller said. “The threat that these foreign fighters pose is significant and growing, in large part because terrorists with Western passports are eligible for visa-free travel to the United States through the Visa Waiver Program, in which there are about 40 participating countries.  

“Critical information-sharing, especially with our European allies, is vital to help combat the threat of foreign fighters bound for the United States. Unfortunately, Europe as a whole has been reluctant to share certain passenger name record data (PNR data) with the United States, and such a gap puts U.S. citizens at risk. “

At Tuesday’s hearing, a representative of the U.S. Travel Association underscored the impact travel security has on the economy and tourism industry. All of the witnesses agreed that the program suffers from vulnerabilities.

Miller’s bill would allow the secretary of Homeland Security to suspend participation of countries in the program if they do not share critical terrorism and foreign traveler data with the United States consistent with the program’s underlying agreements.
The legislation also requires DHS to consider collecting additional pieces of information through a counterterrorism tool known as the Electronic System for Travel Authorization. Miller wants ESTA to be utilized to better screen foreign travelers and requires an annual intelligence assessment, conducted by the Director of National Intelligence and DHS, to assess airport, passport and travel document standards.

According to the congresswoman, she has received “a great deal of support” from DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson and the former director of the Visa Waiver Program.

“This sounds like common sense, and it is,” she said. “As I have noted on many occasions, the 9/11 Commission was crystal clear on this point: ‘For terrorists, travel documents are as important as weapons.’”