Speech #1040203152

Mr. President. as the U.S. Senate continues to debate the illegal immigration reform legislation. I would like to make a brief statement on an issue of importance to the State of Hawaii and our Nation. Tourism is the No. 1 industry in the State of Hawaii. The State has expn sed an interest in extending the current Visa Waiver Pilot Program to other Asian countries. particularly the Republic of Korea. The current Visa Waiver Pilot Program covers only three countries in the AsiaPacific region: Japan. New Zealand. and Brunei. New Zealand. Canada. and Guam all have visa waiver agreements with Korea. Since implementing visa waiver agreements with Korea. arrivals increased in the first year by 285 percent to New Zealand. 96 percent to Canada. and 147 percent to Guam. In 1995. the State of Hawaii wecomed over 120.000 visitors from Korea. and the State Is anxious to see future growth in visitors from this important emerging market. Travel and tourism also play a major role in reducing the United States unfavorable balance of trade. There is an increasing demand by citizens of the Republic of Korea to visit the United States. In fiscal year 1994. 320.747 nonimmigrant visas were issued to Korean travelers. In fiscal year 1995. 394.044 nonimmigrants visas were issued to Korean travelers. Of this amount. 320.120 were tourist visas. The Republic of Korea is not eligible to participate In the current Visa Waiver Pilot Program. On March 14. 1996. I. along with Senators MtRKowSKI. AKAKA. and STEVENS. Introduced S. 1616. legislation that would establish a 3year Visa Waiver Pilot Program for Korean nationals who are traveling In tour groups to the United States. Under the program. selected travel agencies in Korea would be allowed to issue temporary travel permits. The applicants would be required to meet the same prerequisites imposed by the U.S. Embassy. The pilot legislation also Includes additional restrictions to help deter the possibility of Illegal Immigration. These are: The stay in the United States is no more than 15 days. The visitor poses no threat to the welfare. health. and safety. or security of the United States. The visitor possesses a roundtrip ticket. The visitor who Is deemed inadmissible or deportable by an immirgation officer would be returned to Korea by the transportation carrier. Tour operators will be required to post a $200.000 performance bond with the Secretary of State. and will be penalized if a visitor fails to return on schedule. Tour operators will be required to provide written certification of the ontime return of each visitor within the tour group.