[19980318]97-309EPW_移民：免签证试点计划.pdf

Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS Web97-309 EPWUpdated March 18, 1998Immigration: Visa Waiver Pilot ProgramRuth Ellen WasemSpecialist in Social LegislationEducation and Public Welfare DivisionSummaryThe Visa Waiver Pilot Program (VWPP) allows aliens traveling from certaindesignated countries to come to the United States as temporary visitors without havingthe immigration documents normally required to enter the United States. Some maintainit fosters international travel to the United States and eases the workload of the consularoffices abroad. Others observe that it by-passes the most important screening step ofwho is permitted to enter the United States, cautioning that it may inadvertentlystimulate immigration violations. The program was scheduled to expire on September30, 1997, but temporary extensions were included in both Continuing Resolutions. TheCommerce, Justice, State, and Judiciary (CJS) FY1998 appropriations act (P.L. 105-119) contains an extension through April 30, 1998. Bills to formally extend the programhave passed the Senate (S. 1178) and have been reported by the House Committee onthe Judiciary (H