US strengthens control over visas to European countries after November 13 incident

(Baonghean.vn) - On December 8, the US House of Representatives voted to pass a bill that would revoke the visa waiver program for some European citizens suspected of having traveled to high-risk areas such as Syria.

The measure, which applies to 38 leading partner countries including France, requires citizens of those countries to fill out an online application before traveling to the United States. Although it has passed the House of Representatives by a majority vote, it has yet to be voted on by the Senate. The idea is to prevent jihadists with European passports, which the administration has confirmed until November 13, from freely traveling to the United States.

O'Hare Airport in Chicago, Illinois, USA on November 29. Photo: AP

It is known that before the attack in Paris on November 13, the US had been attacked by two people who had a visa waiver program for European citizens. The first was Richard Reid, a British citizen who failed to carry out a suicide bombing near Paris-Mianmi in 2011. The second was Zacarias Moussaoui - one of the perpetrators of the September 11 attack, who came to the US with a French visa in February 2001.

Not only does it apply to visas from European countries, people with dual nationality, such as French-Iranian, will also be targeted by this document, even if they have never set foot in Iran.

Although the US government asserts that the above document does not affect the visa exemption program for citizens of US partner countries, which has been in effect since 1986. However, it will make travel between partner countries and the US more complicated. And if passed by the Senate, citizens of other countries when coming to the US, although exempt from visas, will still have to apply for a visa from the US consulate.

In addition to the visa implications, the bill would allow the US government to sanction countries that do not share intelligence on suspected criminals. It would also require countries to ensure their citizens traveling to the US are not on Interpol’s terrorist and criminal lists and to notify security agencies within 24 hours of stolen or lost passports.

Previously, the US House of Representatives voted to limit the admission of Syrian and Iraqi refugees to the US despite criticism from the White House and failure to pass the Senate. However, according to many experts, this bill will quickly be supported by the Senate and the White House.

Chu Thanh

(According to Le Monde)