Steps were taken by the US to tighten the US Visa Waiver Program (VWP) applicable for citizens belonging to 38 countries. In comes in the wake of Paris terrorist attacks. Here are the new changes quoted by Xinhua as said by White House in a statement.

•    Homeland security department (DHS)’s  aggressive steps
•    To collect past travel information from VWP travelers
•    To check if they travelled to countries considered by the US as terrorist safe
•    Projected pilot programs to collect biometric information from travelers

The DHS would identify any VWP partner countries deficient in key areas of operation". It would recommend options regarding forcing compliance by a range of incentives as well as penalties.

As per the statement, new change also includes the DHS’s effort seeking authorities from the Congress to raise fines for air carriers failing to verify passport data of a traveler.

At present, failure to provide advance passenger information leads to fine up to $5,000 to airlines as per the advance passenger information system. According to White House, the Congress would be asked for to raise the fine to $50,000. Right now, VWP permits visa free travel for 20 million visitors per year to the US for citizens belonging to 38 program partner countries.

The worry about the current VWP to the US lawmakers and government officials begin after the Paris attacks on 13 November 2015. It killed a minimum of 130 people besides injuring more than 350 others. VWP allows citizens from partner countries to enter US and stay for a period of 90 days without a visa and this could be a threat to homeland security.

-Sumana