PRECLEARANCE EXPANSION ON HOLD PENDING LEGISLATION AND FALLOUT FROM TERRORIST ATTACKS

April 13, 2016

Following various deadly terrorist attacks in France, Belgium and Turkey in 2015 and 2016, expansion of U.S. preclearance to additional locations around the world has been impacted, especially to locations in countries where recent terrorist attacks have occurred. Preclearance expansion has also been delayed due to pending Congressional approval of the Preclearance Authorization Act of 2015, which requires officials at both the Department of State (DOS) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to work together to prevent terrorist and other security threats from entering into the U.S.

The recent terrorist attacks have also affected the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), causing U.S. officials to threaten the possible removal of Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, and Greece from the list of VWP approved countries due to problems with passport enforcement following the Syrian refugee crisis. Because of the significant implications such action would have on all five countries considered to be allies of the United States, Secretary Kerry has been in high level negotiations with EU officials to address issues with European passport security and fraud.

If you have any questions, please contact Evelyn Sahr (esahr@eckertseamans.com, 202-659-6622) or Drew Derco (dderco@eckertseamans.com, 202-659-6665).

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