White House tightens tourism regulations

In light of recent terror attacks in Paris, Mali and airspace over Egypt the White House has announced it will make immediate changes to the Visa Waiver Program.

The program currently allows visa free travel for 20 million visitors per year from 38 partner countries.

Currently those citizens have to go through an electronic system run by the Department of Homeland Security to ensure they are safe to enter the U.S.

The new changes will focus on better tracking of past travel, fines for airlines that don’t verify passport information and helping other nations screen refugees and secure borders.

Congressman Andy Harris says this move shows our country has been and is currently at risk.

“I think the presidents actions today indicates that there’s indications that there is a security threat from individuals coming from overseas including those on the visa waiver program,” Harris said Monday.

The White house also announced that they plan to work with Congress moving forward to enhance the Visa Waiver Program.

Including ways to improve the ability to identify individuals who may have traveled to conflict zones to train or fight with terrorist organizations.