Visa waiver program under security microscope

Ireland is one of 28 countries included in the Visa Waiver Program, which was introduced in 1986. Countries participating in the program are viewed as being friendly to the U.S., politically and economically stable and in full control of their passport issuing procedures.
Under the program, an individual from Ireland or one of the other 27 participating countries can enter the U.S. on business or for tourist or personal reasons for a period of no more than 90 days without first having to obtain a visa from a U.S. embassy or consulate
According to the GAO, 285,697 Irish passport holders have been admitted to the U.S. under the program’s rules since Ireland was included in the VWP in 1995.
Cheryl Goodman, the GAO’s assistant director for international affairs and trade, said that Ireland is not viewed as a specific security concern in the report entitled “Border Security, Implications of Eliminating the Visa Waiver Program.”
“We have no problems with Ireland,” Goodman said.
However, she added that while the GAO did not take a final position on the future of the program, its task was to point out the pros and cons for members of congress who would make the final decision. That decision will be heavily influenced by national security concerns.
The report was submitted to the outgoing House Subcommittee on National Security, Veterans Affairs and International Relations. The subcommittee is attached to the House Committee on Government Reform and is currently chaired by Rep. Christopher Shays, a Connecticut Republican.
The reconvened subcommittee will study the report and make recommendations after the 108th Congress, with its GOP majority in both houses, convenes in January.
The GAO report does make the point that while the consequences for U.S. national security as a result of eliminating the VWP are difficult to determine, such a move could negatively affect relations with other countries. The report also points to the possibility of VWP countries initiating visa controls against traveling U.S. citizens should the program be scrapped. The report highlights this possibility in the context of the European Union as a whole. Ireland, an EU member, does not currently require U.S. citizens to obtain visas before visiting the country.
Prior to Ireland’s membership of the VWP, Irish citizens planning to travel to the U.S. had to first undergo an interview at the U.S. Embassy in Dublin. In many cases, individuals were able to obtain indefinite visas allowing multiple visits to the U.S.
The GAO report warns of considerable expenses, running into the hundreds of millions of dollars, should U.S. embassies and consulates in VWP participating countries have to return to a process of issuing individual visas.
Regardless of what Congress decides to do, recent national security legislation has tightened the requirements for membership of the VWP, particularly in the area of so-called biometric passports.
Ireland, however, is well advanced in the process of issuing such passports, which contain considerably more information on individuals than current versions