Bush wants more countries in visa-waiver program
Posted 11/28/2006 10:02 PM ET
By Mimi Hall, USA TODAYPresident Bush said Tuesday that he wants more countries in a program that allows foreigners to stay in the USA without visas, despite criticism that the move could open the door to terrorists.
"We want people to come to our country," Bush said in Tallinn, Estonia, one of several European countries that have asked to be included in the visa-waiver program, in which 27 foreign countries now participate. "It's in our nation's interest that people be able to come and visit."
Bush said his administration aims to add more countries to the program, created to facilitate tourism and business travel 15 years before the 9/11 attacks increased fears of terrorism. He pledged to ensure that "those that want to continue to kill Americans aren't able to exploit the system."Under the program, citizens from visa-waiver countries can travel to the USA for up to 90 days without a visa. To be eligible, countries must prove that only a small percentage of their citizens violate the terms of their visas and only a small percentage are rejected when they apply for them. Residents of waiver countries don't have to go through the time-consuming security interviews and checks required for those who must apply for visas.
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http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2006-11-28-bush-visa_x.htm