Senator Grassley Responds to President Obama's Plan to Relax Tourist Visa Requirements
Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) responded to President Obama's announcement on Thursday to relax tourist visa requirements. Pres. Obama went to Orlando, Fla. to offer a proposal that includes waiving in-person interviews for certain foreign nationals as required under the law. Senator Grassley serves as Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which has jurisdiction over immigration policy.
President Obama went to Disney World's Magic Kingdom park to announce his plan to speed the visa process, which he believes will boost tourism in the U.S.
Three points in Obama's plan include, expanision of the global entry program, allowing citizens from other countries to visit the U.S. without a tourist VISA and processing tourist VISAs for citizens of China and Brazil at least 40 percent faster staring this year.
Senator Grassley released the following statement:
The President’s proposal flies in the face of the law we’ve had on the books because of 9/11. Only two of the 19 hijackers were interviewed by consular officers, so Congress mandated that all visa applicants be interviewed, with very few exceptions. Once again, this administration is pushing the envelope and using their authority beyond congressional intent, allowing untold numbers of foreign nationals to bypass the in-person interview requirement, and risking national security in the process.
More information on President Obama's Disney World speech can be found here http://www.baynews9.com/article/news/2012/january/371475/President-Obama-to-make-tourism,-travel-announcement-at-Disney