New security measures have been introduced for travellers entering the US from Europe in a move designed to identify potential terrorists with Western passports.
The US is now asking all those visiting America from countries which do not require a visa to declare if they hold a second passport amid concern about the number of “foreign fighters” returning from Syria and Iraq,
The measure will affect millions of travellers from Europe, Australia and other “friendly” nations who are not required to obtain a visa when visiting the US for short trips, including around 2.5 million British tourists a year.
As many as 2,000 Islamist militants are thought to have travelled from Britain, Australia and other western countries to Syria and Iraq in recent months to join up with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isil), the Telegraph reported.
America fears that their ability to enter the US without the need to obtain a visa makes them difficult to track.
As a result, the Department for Homeland Security announced that those seeking to enter under the Visa Waiver Programme will now be required to say if they hold another passport, or if they have travelled in the past under another name or alias.
Additional information about their place of employment and previous addresses are also now required. The data will then be checked against terrorist watch lists.
The new rules add to a system introduced in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, which require all travellers entering under the Visa Waiver Programme to submit detailed personal information, including an address in the US, and obtain an authorisation code before boarding an aircraft or ship.
Announcing the changes yesterday, US secretary for homeland security Jeh Johnson said that those seeking to travel to the US from countries in the Visa Waiver Programme “will be required to provide additional data fields of information in the travel application submitted via the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).
“The new information sought includes additional passport data, contact information, and other potential names or aliases.
“We are taking this step to enhance the security of the Visa Waiver Programme, to learn more about travellers from countries from whom we do not require a visa.
“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 Programme.”
In response, US Travel Association president and chief executive Roger Dow said: “Even programmes that are unquestionably effective should be continually evaluated and evolve along with the shifting security landscape, and the announced adjustments to the Visa Waiver Programme are evidence that the current administration wholly embraces that approach.
“The Visa Waiver Programme is already esteemed by security experts as a vital tool for counterterrorism efforts, and the programme should continue to serve as a model both for innovative policy and sound policymaking.
“An important element of any policy shift is clearly communicating details to the public.
“The travel community stands ready to help disseminate information about the changes, and we urge the administration to pursue every available means to make sure inbound travelers from Visa Waiver Programme countries are made aware of the new requirements.”