WARSAW, Poland, June 8 (UPI) -- Poland's foreign minister says he is optimistic the country's citizens will soon be eligible for the U.S. visa waiver program.
Radek Sikorski told the broadcaster TVP after returning from a visit to the United States he was assured a bill to add Poland to the program will pass the U.S. Senate. He said the measure may have a more difficult time in the House because of anti-immigrant sentiment.
The Polish American Leadership Political Action Committee (PAL-PAC) of legislators launched a petition Thursday calling for quick action by Senate and House committees on the visa waiver.
The petition points out 23 Polish soldiers have been killed in Iraq and 36 in Afghanistan.
"Over 11 years ago when the United States was faced with a serious threat of global terrorism, Poland was quick to join the Allied Coalition to fight in Afghanistan and later Iraq without any preconditions," the group said.
The Polish waiver has support from U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry.
"Making it easier for Poles to visit the United States makes sense in every respect," Kerry said in a statement Monday. "It's good for trade, it's good for investment, it's good for promoting the people-to-people ties that help to bind our countries together."
The program allows citizens of certain countries to apply for visa waiver. Those granted the waiver can enter the United States without a visa for tourism or business visits of as much as 90 says.
