Mr. Speaker. the news that the French Government is now requiring U.S. citizens to obtain tourist visas. or prior permission. to visit France is very disturbing. While we can and should criticize the French Government for imposing this visa restriction on Americans traveling to France. we should bear in mind that the United States remains one of the most restrictive countries when it comes to visa requirements. With the exception of Canada. the Bahamas. and British nationals in some Caribbean islands. citizens of foreign countries are required to possess tourist visas when they visit our country. This include France and all of western Europe. Visas are a barrier to tourism and travel between friendly nations. While we certainly understand the terrorism threat that exists in the world today. the French Government has overreacted by imposing a visa requirement on Americans who are often the targets of terrorism and not the instigators of terrorism. The French Government may now experience a downward trend in tourism by making it harder for Americans to visit France. They have chosen to reverse a longstanding trend by western European nations since the end of World War II to waive tourist visas for U.S. citizens. Thirtyfive countries eliminated this requirement. Mr. Speaker. requiring visas by travelers. whether they are French or American. is a form of a trade barrier. impedes economic growth. and inhibits goodwill among people. We should work together to facilitate and encourage travel between nations instead of creating obstacles for travelers at a time of international tension.
Keywords matched
Visas visas visa