LAW OFFICES OF NORKA M. SCHELL BLOG
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WHY EXPAND THE VISA WAIVER PROGRAM:
VWP increases international visitation to the United States.
Extending the Visa Waiver Program to strong candidates such as
Brazil, Poland, Israel, Croatia and other select countries would:
Add 1 million additional visitors to the United States;
Add nearly $10 billion to the U.S. economy; and
Support nearly 60,000 additional American jobs.
Expansion will help local communities. Inbound international
travel to the United States is America’s number one service export.
Overseas visitors — i.e., international visitors other than those from
our next-door neighbors Canada and Mexico — spend an average
of nearly $4,500 per trip and generate tax revenue in communities
across America without burdening local services, such as public
schools and fire departments.
Expansion will support American jobs and economic growth.
International visitors:
Support 1.2 million American jobs, and
Add $180.7 billion annually to the U.S. economy.
Expansion will enhance U.S. security. Visa-free travelers to the
United States are pre-screened and pre-approved for entry, resulting
in enhanced border security and a more secure customs and entry
process.
Expansion does not increase risk of overstay. The overwhelming
majority of visa applicants from Brazil and other countries under
consideration for Visa Waiver eligibility abide by the terms of their
visas, and there is no reason to believe that VWP expansion would
change that.
VWP is working. Expanding the program would increase its
benefits. Visitors from 38 countries currently enjoy secure, visa-free
entry into the United States. Updating the VWP eligibility requirements
to allow visa-free entry for more travelers from countries closely allied
to the United States, including Poland, Israel and Brazil, would boost
U.S. economic growth and job creation.
*1
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1. See U.S. Travel Association Global Entry available at https://www.ustravel.org/government-affairs/international-policy-issues; Electronic System for Travel Authorization available at http://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/esta
