Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D., Hawaii) is calling on the Obama administration to cancel a popular visa waiver program over concerns that it could be exploited by terrorists to easily slip into the United States without detection.
Gabbard, an Army National Guard captain who has served two tours of duty in the Middle East, called for an "immediate suspension" of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) for countries that have reported a large influx of fighters from the Islamic State (IS) and other terror groups, according to a statement posted on her website.
Gabbard is recommending that the program be canceled in countries such as Great Britain, Germany, and France, all of which are struggling with the return of fighters who trained with IS and other terror organizations.
"As things presently stand, Islamic extremists holding British, German, French, or other European passports can simply get on a plane and fly to America without a visa. The safety and security of Americans should be of the highest priority, and this Visa Waiver Program puts the American people in great danger," Gabbard said.
"I urge the administration to immediately suspend the Visa Waiver Program for countries such as Great Britain, Germany, and France, which have thousands of citizens fighting alongside Islamic extremist groups like ISIL, in the Middle East or around the world," she said.
"By suspending the Visa Waiver Program, all visitors from these countries will have to go through a visa application process before they are allowed to step on U.S. soil," according to her statement. "Simultaneously, I will work with my colleagues to take action in Congress to address this issue and plug this gaping hole in our national security."
Those who use the VWP are permitted to easily enter the United States and stay for up to 90 days without a visa.