John Tierney: “I firmly believe that the visa waiver program is important to allow citizens of eligible countries to enter the United…”

“I firmly believe that the visa waiver program is important to allow citizens of eligible countries to enter the United States temporarily without a visa, whether it be for business meetings or simply to visit with their families. Every country in the European Union participates in this waiver program; that is, with the exception of Portugal and Greece. It is a bit ironic that while we may applaud both countries for their booming economies and their low unemployment, we deny them participation in this program that helps tourism and facilitates travel to the United States. For example, last year the first year that Argentina was in the visa waiver program, tourism from that country to the United States increased by 11.5 percent. I think that we can expect the same type of results if we move forward in the way that has been suggested here. I am a bit perplexed about the argument of those who would oppose, including Greece and Portugal, this visa waiver program.”