Information from the office of Senator Barbara Mikulski.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 22, 2007

CONTACT: Melissa Schwartz
202-228-1122
http://mikulski. senate.gov

MIKULSKI INTRODUCES VISA WAIVER PROGRAM

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.) today joined Senator
George V. Voinovich (R-Ohio) to reintroduce The Secure Travel and
Counterterrorism Partnership Act of 2006, which would authorize an expansion
of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) by up to five additional countries for a
probationary period of three years.

"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. Additionally, the countries
would be required to develop strategic plans for coming into full compliance
with VWP requirements by the end of their three-year probationary period. 

Senator Mikulski has fought for years - 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.

# # #

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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Polish American Congress
1612 K Street, N.W. Suite 410 Washington, D.C. 20006
Tel: (202) 296-6955
Fax: (202) 835-1565
Web: www.polamcon. org