New visa policies tie up State, trouble travel industry

Lawmakers questioned government officials Thursday about new visa policies to prevent terrorists from entering the country and the economic impact on the U.S. travel industry.

"We're deeply worried about our economy," Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Richard Lugar, R-Ind., said during a hearing of the International Operations and Terrorism Subcommittee on visa reforms and new technology initiatives at various departments. He said the question is balancing the new policies "in terms of cost effectiveness and American security."

Lugar said while the new reforms "make sense," many foreign visitors have experienced an expensive and cumbersome process in applying for visas. It has translated into a loss of U.S. national revenues and scholarships for foreign students and has negatively affected foreign countries' perception of the United States, he said.

Industry officials, who testified along with officials from the State and Homeland Security departments and the FBI, echoed Lugar's statements.

In prepared remarks on behalf of the Travel Industry Association of America, Jose Estorino said since 2000, the loss of international travel to the United States has cost the nation $15.3 billion.

New visa policies, such as requirements for State Department officials to personally interview visa applicants and run their names through several databases, have resulted in increased costs, discouraged business with the United States and created the perception that the United States is becoming "fortress America," he said.

Rep. John Sununu, R-N.H., called it a "tremendous challenge" for government officials to keep terrorists out of the country while also welcoming visitors. He noted that in fiscal 2002, about 440 million border crossings took place into the United States. He asked panelists to outline obstacles to sharing information among agencies in the effort to make the visa process more timely and efficient.