USA: US To Tighten Visa Waiver Scheme

The US House of Representatives has voted overwhelmingly to tighten restrictions on travel to the United States by citizens of 38 nations who are allowed to enter the country without obtaining a visa.

The bill, the second major piece of security legislation approved in the chamber in response to the November 13 Paris attacks, passed by 407 to 19.

The measure would require visitors from the visa waiver countries, which include much of western Europe, to obtain a visa to travel to the United States if they had been to Syria, Iraq, Iran or Sudan during the past five years.

It would also require countries participating in the programme to share information with US authorities about suspected terrorists or risk being suspended from the scheme.

"This legislation will help close gaping security gaps and improve our ability to stop dangerous individuals before they reach our shores," said Republican Representative Michael McCaul, the House Homeland Security Committee chairman.

Twenty million visitors a year enter the United States under the programme, which allows them to stay 90 days. It was started in 1986 to boost tourism and tighten the country's relationship with close allies.

Congress has been focused on visa waivers since Paris because some of the militants behind the attacks were Europeans radicalised after visiting Syria.

The US Travel Association backed the House bill, rather than a Senate proposal from Democrat Dianne Feinstein and Republican Jeff Flake that would also require the collection of biometric data. The industry group says that could discourage legitimate travellers from visiting the country.

Backing for the other security bill passed in the House, tightening screening of refugees from Syria and Iraq, was far more partisan. Just 47 Democrats joined 242 Republicans who voted for it, with President Barack Obama promising a veto.

Debate about border controls has grown more acrimonious since last week's attacks in San Bernardino, by a Muslim couple. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump proposed banning Muslims from entering the United States, remarks that drew international condemnation.

The Senate has not scheduled a vote on either measure. Both could be included in a trillion-dollar spending bill that Congress must pass in the next few days in order to keep the government open.

Obama called on Congress to tighten the visa waiver programme in a national security speech to the nation on Sunday night.