Half. The committee and Security Task force will come to order. The task force is meeting to examine the security of the visa free throws and the Visa Waiver Program. I recognize myself for an opening statement. I want to start by welcoming back our expert withins to the capital. Thank you for being here and doing double duty. I look forward to following up on some of the broader themes of t. I want to thak chairman mccall for organizing this. They were not only successful in producing legislative change but also eye opening in what it revealed. The work done on both sides of the aisle, raised awareness about gaps and screening and information sharing, both at home and with our foreigns. This includes the Visa Waiver Program improvement that enabouted major vwp. I hope this task force will be as successful in its investigation and in its final recommendations. I also look forward to working with ms. Watson coleman from new jersey. I thank you for the time you spent. I really am looking forward to this. This is a critical time for our nations security. The task force focused on jihadist fighters to come west. Now we see that number dropping as these fighters seek to expand farther than iraq and syria. The threat against the west continues to rise as the fighters leave. The socalled caliphate. As fbi director comey said are there are going to come hundreds and hundreds of dangerous people. It will be like weve never seen better. Those chilling words should work as a wakeup call. Two british nationals and a survegs sit zern, with hundreds of american fighters and thousands of fighters seeking to return to their home country, we must be able to prevent them from gaining entry into the United States by abusing our immigration system. Isis has already planned, conducted or inspired more than 180 plots against the west, including did 2015 attacks in paris and others. The majority of these attackers were european citizens with valid passports. As secretary kelly recently said the u. S. Is the prime terrorism target. That is why we are here today, to ensure our defenses are strong and to protect the homeland as it continues to be targeted. While there are numerous benefits like tourism, trade, and business, we should never cease to examine our processes in terms of potential gaps. We must always thrive to stay one step ahead. That is what we learned from the wake of september 11. This, of course, prompted an overhaul of our Security Systems as well as the creation of our department of Homeland Security. But our work is not yet done. We still have a lot to learn and a lot to adapt to. Despite the reforms undertaken in the wake of 9 11 there are gaps and weaknesses in our system. One of the killers legally entered the country on a k1 fiance visa. There are remaining gaps in vetting and screening applicants and information sharing with other countries, which are both voightal. I look forward to hearing what the department of Homeland Security are doing everything to see that applicants are receiving sufficient vetting. I thank you for being here and thank you for your service and the many men and women who serve the state department. The gentlemen lady. Im delighted to be here and share this important task with you. I am pleased to join in holding todays hearings on denying terrorist entry into the United States. I welcome the opportunity to work with you and our colleagues on the task force to understand how the federal government can continue to strengthen our nations security and holds our american values. Since the terrorist attacks of september 11, 2001, congress has established a department h shurt and directed the implementation of wide ranging new programs and policies to help prevent terrorist travel to this country. For example, u. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has employed crews to our headquarters. U. S. Customs and Border Protection recognizes the authorization esa to screen travellers before theyre permitted to board a plane to the u. S. These agents conduct are you current vetting to check against any new are derogatory information. These are just a few examples of the security initiatives that have been implemented in the aftermath of 9 11 on an on going bass is as other vuler in bilts have been identified. More work needs to be done to make sure we stay hoefd those who seek not to do use harm. In the interest of all americans and in keeping with our principles of a nation of immigrants. Using rote rick that alienates us is counterproductive to the security of the United States. Banning certain groups of people from entering this country based on their face either explicitly or otherwise. Playing on each others feersz and prejudices is downright unamerican. As a country we can do better. I hope that on this task force, we will do better. America is always at its strongest when we stand together in sposh of our common good and our share values. I appreciated hearing from our government witnesses yesterday in the classified setting about the good work the department of Homeland Security and state are doing to fifth enhance our security. I hope to hear from these Witnesses Today about what more can be done to identify and toward terrorist travel on an individualized basis and how congress can support their efforts. I also hope to hear from our Government Office of accountability. I look forward to a very productive hearing today and working alongside my colleagues on this task force and with you, mr. Chairman. I thank you for holding today ear hearing and thank the witnesses for joining us and i yield back. The chair recognizes the chairman of the full committee. Thank you. In june 2000 three of the 9 11 hi jacke ehijackers came into t. Sadly, we know the rest of the story. In the years following the 9 11 attacks, the United States government went to Great Lengths to identify gaps in our vetting systems and in how our agencies share intelligence. The department of shurt was created by the bush administration. Now we face a new and growing threat to the homeland. Second kelly described us as a nation under attack, facing the highest Terror Threat level in years. Due to our Brave Service Men and women, isis and al qaeda have incurred great losses in syria and iraq. Yet, as territory under their control shrinks, we are seeing an exodus of foreign fighters returning to their homelands. 10,000 of which are in europe. Our committee has taken a serious look at foreign fighters. Last congress we pulled together a Bipartisan Task force to examine did threat posed to the United States by foreign fighters, especially those traveling in and out of europe. Through this extensive sixmonth review, legislation was passed to address their recommendations, those which became law is the act requiring the president to review all and the National Strategic to combat terrorist travel act which requires the administration to combat the threat posed by extremists and keeping them from entering our country undetected. Similarly, the Visa Waiver Program improvement and travis travel act ramped up the Visa Waiver Program by improved intelligence slarg through hspd6 agreements and keep terrorists from entering the United States undoe tekted. It also includes major provisions that will make it harder for terror suspects to cross borders including enhanced counterterrorism screening of travellers and measures to crack down on passport fraud. This will address the readiness of the home lapd in light of the foreign fighter, does. I was pleased to name wisconsin congressman as chair to this commission. As a middle east issue expert i know hes tackle these important issues with seriousness and dedication. Together with the other Seven Members of this Bipartisan Task force, i know this will be equally necessary. I look forward to hearing from the witnesses. With that, mr. Chairman, i yield back. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Opening statements may be submitted for the record. We are honored to be joined by a distinguished panel of witnesses. Michael dougherty, mr. John wagner, u. S. Customs and department protection. Mr. Clark settles at immigration and Customs Enforcement at the department of Homeland Security. Deputy secretary for Visa Services at the department of state and ms. Rebecca gambler at the Government Accountability office. Thank you for being here today. The witnesss full written statements will appear in the record. The chair recognizes mr. Dougherty for five minutes to make an opening statement. Just turn on your mike there. I did that five times my first week here. Thanks. Dont worry about it. Distinguished committee members, thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today with my colleagues. The Visa Waiver Program or the vwp was created by congress in 1986 to allow people to enter the United States without receiving a visa but only after security clearances were performed. In addition to promoting travel to the United States, it relieved them from having to conduct interviews. Its evolved since that time. Its been modified five times. Today the program can properly will used as a means to secure our security posture, modernizing screening and vetting proses sess. Processes. As the committee is aware, secretary kelly has realized that blocking terrorists is a top priority of our department and were committed to working closely with congress and our agency to inform partners to protect our homeland. Currently 38 countries are approved to participate, which allows their nationals to travel to the United States for up to 90 days. Travellers are required to complete an online politics. Looking at the esta application, cvp conducts automated vetting to assess whether the vird is eligible to travel or could pose a risk to the United States or to the public at large. To participate in the vwp, countries must share information on terrorists and serious criminals, stolen passports and engage in effective traveller and my grant streeng. Vwp countries have to report that loss or sheft no later than 24 hours after they become aware of it and theyve contributed over 50 million such records to interpol, accounting for 70 of the interpol holdings. The bottom line is that to join or continue in the vw pnks, a country cannot represent a threat to the United States and must be work as a partner to prevent terrorist travel. The committee has contributed to the strengthening of the Visa Waiver Program through its leadership and developing the vwp. Id like to take a moment to highlight several important changes that have resulted from dh ss implementation of the act. Weve increased the sharing of identity information. Several countries have increased the frequency of lost and stolen pass ports being reported to interpol. All vwp countries now are issuing and using for travel to the United States fraud resistant electronic passports that meet or compete international standards. Enhanced restrictions on travel for people who have traveled countries of certain concern or dual nationals of particular countries. Monitoring and process to make sure theyre Meeting Program requirements. These assessments are performed in cooperation with the state department and other interagency partners as well as the Intelligence Community and the governments of vwp countries themselves. Be assured that the department engaged in regular monitoring of all vwp countries to take appropriate action. As second kelly recently indicated, they have to ensure the vwp is prepared to care for the soldiers returning from battles. Theyll continue to look at way toss work with this committee, to secure the security of the program. Thank you again for the opportunity to appear before you today. I look forward to answering any of your questions. Thank you, sir. Mr. Wagner, youre recognized for five minutes. Thank you chairman gallagher and Ranking Member watsoncombman. Thank you for the opportunity to speak toes about Border Protections role. Our agency works around the clock. Weve developed mechanic nichlgs that far in advance ooch arrival on u. S. Soil as possible. To provide a sense of scale, last year we expected over 200 million. Its about 27,000 each day. Just inbound. Visitors make up about 50 of these arrival numbers. They generally split into two categories. Visa and visa waiver. Countries that need a visa go to the u. S. Embassy. That will be described in more detail. Cvp has developed an on line politics process, esta for short. They must have approved esta and built a Communications System with the company to support it. For the first half of this fiscal year weve approved about 6. 9 million cvp took steps to apply the new restrictions for individuals. So far this fiscal year weve denied them to about 13,000 people due to travel restrictions and others because of dual nationality. A host of Law Enforcement and intelligence databases assure travellers remain eligible. Cvp may revoke or work closely with department of state too have the visa revoked. Over 1800 visas have revoked as a result of this. 450 h 50 of these were to do with security concerns. By law, airlines provide cvp with advanced passenger manifest information in access to their reservation systems. They review this stat along with crossing information, intelligence reports and Law Enforcement databases to identify any potential risk factors. When risk factors are identified, well build seven mechanisms to address that. Preclearance operations, Advisor Program and our liaison grumgs. Preclearance. We have a 15 locations in six countries. This is uniform. Cvp officers have legal authoriti authorities. This is our highest level of capability overseas. If found ineligible to fly to the United States, they have the authority to deny entry on foreign soil. In fiscal year 16, 18 poib 3 million travellers were processed through prekreerns locations, total 15 of our u. S. Bound travellers. 6400 inadmissible travellers were prevented from boarding. We have the advisor are program and the joint Security Program. We have plain clothesed officers, using advance information from our National Targeting Center officers work in partnership with the host governments and the airlines to address any National Security risks and immigration issues. Fts any concerns remain after interview of the passenger, we can issue a noboard and refer the traveller back to the u. S. Embassy. Last year we recommended over 45000 noboards to the airlines. For the iap officers we have liaison groups that work with the airlines to issue no board recommendations in casings of National SecurityService Concerns or immigration questions. Once passengers arrive in the United States all people are expected by the officers. The experience and intuition of each officer is invaluable. Cvp officers review travel documents, review the results of the prearrival vetting, collect biometrics if required. If theres any questions about their admissibility, agriculture concerns, the persons referred into secondary inspection for more thorough examination. We strife to improve our vuler in thank you again for the opportunity. I look forward to answering any of your questions. Thank you mr. Wagner. Mr. Settles, youre recognized for five minutes. Chairman gallagher, Ranking Member colemanwatson and distinguished committee members. Thank you for the opportunity to discuss enhancing usa visa security and prevent the travel of terrorists. Visa security is a central component shared by both the department of state and the department of shurt, which includes hsi. And u. S. Customs and Border Protection cvp. We strive particular focus on those emanating from yornd americas fisz borders. Im honored to highlight the Security Programs. Hsi special agents investigate transnational crime by conducting a wide range of criminal investigations in coordination with our foreign and domestic partnering agencies. Targeting the Illegal Movement of people, merchandise, monetary instruments into, within, and out of the United States, the agency has extremely broad authorities and jurisdiction over the investigation of crimes with a nexus to u. S. Borders and ports of entry. The three operational priorities are border security, Public Safety and National Security. In an effort to augment and expand visa Security Operations hsi is honored to manage the program in partnership with cvp, the department of state, the