Information from the Office of Senator Barbara Mikulski:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 26, 2007

CONTACT: Melissa Schwartz
202-228-1122

MIKULSKI APPLAUDS SENATE INCLUSION OF VISA WAIVER PROGRAM

"This proposal is long overdue and rights a wrong in America's visa
program."

WASHINGTON, D.C. - As the Senate begins consideration of the Improving
America's Security Act of 2007 (S.4) today, Senator Barbara A. Mikulski
(D-Md.) is applauding the inclusion of her proposal with Senator George
V. Voinovich (R-Ohio) that would authorize an expansion of the Visa Waiver
Program (VWP).

"I have fought for years to expand the VWP so our allies can visit family
and conduct business in the United States without standing in line to get a
visa," said Senator Mikulski. "We know that our borders will be no less
secure because of these visitors. But we know that our alliances will be
more secure because of this legislation. "

As a condition for program participation, all participants would implement
enhanced travel security requirements, negotiate new agreements on
counterterrorism cooperation, and demonstrate their close cooperation with
the United States in the Global War on Terror.

Senator Mikulski has fought - and introduced several bipartisan proposals -
to have Poland added to the VWP, citing Poland's importance as a close U.S.
ally. Polish troops have been fighting alongside American troops since the
start of the War in Iraq, where 17 Polish soldiers have been killed and more
than 20 have been injured. Today, nearly 1,000 Polish troops are still on
the ground in Iraq, and next year Poland will send more than 1,000 troops to
Afghanistan to lead NATO's International Security Assistance Force.

"The United States is blessed with few allies as stalwart as Poland. But we
tell a grandmother in Gdansk she needs a visa to visit her grandchildren in
America," said Senator Mikulski. "Poland is a NATO ally and a member of the
European Union. But America's visa policy still treats Poland as a
second-class citizen."

The VWP was established in 1986 as a pilot program to promote better
relations with U.S. allies. Currently, 27 countries participate in the VWP.
Statutory requirements for program participation include criteria concerning
immigration patterns, security and law enforcement, reciprocal visa-free
travel for U.S. citizens, as well as passports that are machine-readable.

The Improving America's Security Act of 2007 would implement unfulfilled
recommendations of the 9-11 Commission by improving the nation's security
against terrorism. The legislation includes provisions to increase
risk-based homeland security grants to states, improve interoperable
communications among first responders, and improve information sharing.

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Melissa Schwartz
Communications Director
Office of Senator Barbara Mikulski
(202) 228-1122 (phone)
(202) 224-3892 (fax)
www.mikulski.senate.gov
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