Mr. President. that national security concerns justify certain restrictions on the entry of foreign visitors. and I want to clarify that this legislation is in no way intended to compromise national security imperatives. The visa waiver program created by this bill would apply only to individuals who: First. are from nations which do not require U.S. visitors to obtain visas. Second. are from nations with historically low rates of refusal on applications for U.S. nonimmigrant visas and low rates of violation of nonimmigrant status among their nationals. Third. will remain in the United States no more than 90 days. and Fourth. have roundtrip. nonrefundable. nontransferable transportation tickets. The nations whose citizens would be eligible for visa waiver would be designated by the Attorney General and the Secretary of State. I ask my colleagues to view international travel to the United States as an exportit is. after all. our largest service exportand to view our current policy as a trade barrier. This policy. which is not reciprocated by the nations to which this legislation applies. inhibits economic growth. employment. and international goodwill. It is no wonder that visa waiver legislation has been supported by the Senate. the House of Representatives. and the administration. I hope that my colleagues agree that this legislation balances national security concerns with the objective of encouraging the free and welcome entry of foreign visitors. We must recognize that the vast majority of visitors to this Nation pose no threat to our security. and further. that these lowrisk visitors can be identified and treated as such.
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