Mr. Speaker. today I introduce legislation that would authorize and establish an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) for the GuamCNMI Visa Waiver Program. and direct revenue from the established system to fund CEP operations and staffing needs for ports of entry in Guam and the CNMI. The regional GuamCNMI VWP recognizes Guams unique location in Asia. and the need to be more competitive for tourists from other Asian nations. With Guams primary source of economic revenue being tourism from Asia. my legislation would address several issues that have hampered the industry and that continues to cost CBP millions of dollars annually in processing costs. The majority of foreign arrivals at Guam International Airport are those traveling under the GuamCNMI VWP. and long immigration lines are a recurring issue due to limited staffing capacity when arrivals peak at Guam International Airport. At their peaksometimes 1.200 passengers arrive when multiple flights arrive nearly simultaneouslythe wait times at immigration can be as long as two and a half hours. I recognize that there are complaints about long wait lines at other international ports of entries including Guam. However. many of our visitors come from Japan and South Korea.
Keywords matched
Visa immigration