DHS/IMMIGRATION/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “The Trump administration is putting new requirements on the 38 nations whose citizens are allowed to travel to the U.S. without visas, including better screening for terrorists inside their own countries, officials said Friday [12-15-17].
The administration is also requiring some of these countries to initiate public information campaigns to dissuade their nationals from staying in the U.S. past their required departure dates.
The new requirements will apply to the U.S.’s closest allies, such as Australia, France, South Korea, and the U.K. To participate in the Visa Waiver Program, countries must meet a high bar for terror screening and cooperation with U.S. vetting of their citizens…
Under the new rules, the U.S. will require participating countries to systemically screen travelers who cross into their own countries against data that the U.S. provides about threats and suspected terrorists. In addition, nations will be required to vet workers at their airports to guard against insider threats to aviation security.
A third requirement applies to nations whose nationals are most likely to overstay the terms of their visits. It will kick in if 2% or more of their travelers fail to depart on time. Using 2016 data on overstays, this will affect four countries: Hungary, Greece, Portugal and the small nation of San Marino, officials said.”
-Laura Meckler, “Trump Administration Sets New Rules on Visa-Free Travel to U.S.,” The Wall Street Journal online, Dec. 15, 2017 10:23am