U.S. ramps up screening for non-visa travelers

WASHINGTON, Nov. 3 (UPI) -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced a plan to ramp up screening measures for travelers from European and Asian countries exempt from obtaining visas before traveling to the United States.

The new plan, which started Monday, is meant to enhance the Visa Waiver Program in which the United States and 37 other countries like France, Germany and Japan, participate.

Travelers from countries that take part in the VWP may travel to any other of the 37 VWP countries without obtaining a visa.

Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson told The Washington Post the increased measures are necessary "to learn more about travelers from countries from who we do not require a visa."

U.S. officials said the tightened screening measures were borne out of concern over the number of citizens from VWP countries who have fought in Syria and may have affiliations with the Islamic State or al-Qaida.

"Many of the leading visa-waiver countries are seeing their citizens going to Syria to join [the Islamic State] or al-Qaida affiliates in that country and potentially returning home with training and new skills," a senior Department of Homeland Security official told The Washington Post. "We want to ensure that we know exactly who is coming and have the most information possible to make good decisions."

Under the new measures, travelers attempting to enter the United States without a visa must get approval through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization and pay a fee. The travelers must provide extra information from their passports, contact details and any other names they may use.

"We are also confident these changes will not hinder lawful trade and travel between our nation and our trusted foreign allies in the Visa Waiver Program," Johnson said.