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Securing the Visa Waiver Program Act of 2023

12/15/2023, 4:06 PM

Summary of Bill S 493

Bill 118 s 493, also known as the Securing the Visa Waiver Program Act of 2023, is a piece of legislation currently being considered by the US Congress. The main goal of this bill is to enhance the security measures of the Visa Waiver Program, which allows citizens of certain countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business purposes without obtaining a visa.

The bill proposes several key provisions to strengthen the Visa Waiver Program. One of the main provisions is the requirement for all participating countries to implement enhanced security measures, such as the use of biometric technology and increased information sharing with US authorities. This is aimed at preventing potential security threats and ensuring the safety of both US citizens and visitors.

Additionally, the bill includes provisions to improve the screening process for travelers entering the US under the Visa Waiver Program. This includes increased scrutiny of travelers' backgrounds and potential ties to terrorist organizations or criminal activities. The bill also calls for the implementation of a more robust system for tracking and monitoring individuals who overstay their visa waiver period. Overall, the Securing the Visa Waiver Program Act of 2023 aims to strengthen the security of the Visa Waiver Program and enhance the safety of US borders. It is currently being debated in Congress, with supporters arguing that it is necessary to protect national security, while opponents raise concerns about potential impacts on international relations and tourism.

Congressional Summary of S 493

Securing the Visa Waiver Program Act of 2023

This bill imposes additional requirements on countries that are part of the Visa Waiver Program, which allows citizens or nationals of such countries to travel to the United States without a visa.

Specifically, a country that is part of the program must (1) share information with the United States about any of its citizens or nationals who are known or suspected to be involved with terrorism, and (2) establish frameworks for enhanced law enforcement cooperation with the United States.

The Department of Homeland Security must terminate a country from the program if it fails to comply with these requirements.

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Current Status of Bill S 493

Bill S 493 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since February 16, 2023. Bill S 493 was introduced during Congress 118 and was introduced to the Senate on February 16, 2023.  Bill S 493's most recent activity was Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. as of February 16, 2023

Bipartisan Support of Bill S 493

Total Number of Sponsors
1
Democrat Sponsors
0
Republican Sponsors
1
Unaffiliated Sponsors
0
Total Number of Cosponsors
2
Democrat Cosponsors
0
Republican Cosponsors
2
Unaffiliated Cosponsors
0

Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill S 493

Primary Policy Focus

Immigration

Alternate Title(s) of Bill S 493

Securing the Visa Waiver Program Act of 2023
Securing the Visa Waiver Program Act of 2023
A bill to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to require Visa Waiver Program countries to share watch list information about known or suspected terrorists and to fully cooperate with United States law enforcement entities in preventing and combating serious crime.

Comments

Sponsors and Cosponsors of S 493

Marco Rubio
Marco Rubio
FloridaRepublican
Ted Cruz
Ted Cruz
TexasRepublican

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