The committee on Homeland Security task force on denying terry entry into the United States will come to order. Were examining the security of the visa process and Waiver Program and i recognize myself for an opening statement. I want to start by welcoming back our expert witnesses to the capital and thank him for being here doing double duty for joining us yesterday for a classified hearing. I look forward to following up on some of the broader themes of the briefing. In order to inform the American People of the security of the visa pro ves says and the visa Waiver Program. I want to thank chairman mccaul and Ranking Member thompson for prioritizing this task force and its mission. Last congress this committees task task force was not only successful in producing legislative change, but also eye opening in what it revealed. The work done by members and staff on both sides of the aisle under chairman katkos leadership raised awareness about gaps in screening both at home and with our foreign partners which led to positive reforms for protecting the homeland against terrorists and foreign fighters. This includes the visa Waiver Program improvement and terrorist travel prevention act that enacted major vwp reforms in 2015. I hope that this task force will be as successful in its investigation and in its final recommendations. I also look order in to working with ms. Watson coleman from new jersey and all the members on both sides to ensure that it is a success. And i thank you for the time that youve spend spent and i really am looking order in to this. In is a critical time for our nations security. The Previous Task force rightly focused on the tens of thousands of jihad dift fighters traveling from the west to join the fight in iraq and syria. Now we see that number dropping as these fighters seek to expand their actions beyond rark and syria. And while Coalition Forces expand, the threat against the west continues to rise as the fighters leave so the called caliphate. As fbi director comey said this past september, through the fingers of that crush are going to come hundreds of very, very dangerous people. There will be a terrorist as sper ra sometimes in the next two years that weve never seen before. Just last week it was reported that two british nationals were detained by Turkish Border police after spending over two years in isis territory. With hundreds of american fighters and thousands of european fighters seeking to return to their home Countries Armed with lawful passports, terrorist training and jihadists connections, we must be able to prevent them from gaining entry into the United States by abusing our immigration system. Isis has planned, conducted or inspired more than 180 plots against the west, including the 2017 attacks in paris and the 2016 attacks be in brussels, niece, and berlin. The majority of these attackser were european citizens with valid passports so its easy to imagine any one of them gaining access to the country through a valid visa or through the visa Waiver Program. And as secretary kelly recently said, the u. S. Is the prime terrorist target, especially since so many of these fighters are citizens of vwp countries. But thats why were here today, to ensure our defenses strong and protect the homeland as it continues to be targeted. While there are numerous benefits to our country that stem from our welcoming immigration system like tourism, trade an business, we should never look at our process lou the lens of a terrorist. We must always strive to stay one step ahead. Thats what we learned in the wake of september 11th where all of the attackers entered the u. S. Through legal means. This of course prompted an overhaul of our immigration and transportation 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 snooin 11 there are still gaps and weaknesses in our system. Raising questions about the level of scrutiny given to visa applications. There are also remaining gaps in vetting and screening of vwp applicants and be in information sharing with other countries which are both vital in the fielt against terrorists. I look forward to hearing from our expert witnesses about the department of Homeland Security are doing to ensure that visa and vwp applicants are receiving sufficient vetting before theyre allowed to enter this country. I i thank them for being here as well as the many men and women who serve our nation both at dhs and the state department. And with that the chair now recognizing the Ranking Member ms. Watson coleman for any statement she may have. Thank you, mr. Chairman and im delighted to n here and share this very important task with you. I look order in to working with you. I am pleased to join in holding todays hearings on denying terrorists entry into the United States. I welcome the opportunity to work with you and our colleagues on the task force to examine how the federal government can continue to strengthen our nations security and do so in a way that upholds our american values. Since the terrorist attacks of september the 11th, 2001, congress has established a department of Homeland Security and directed the implementation of significant and wideranging new programs and pom sies to help prevent terrorist travel to this country. For example, u. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has deployed visa Security Units to our embassies and consul lates overseas supporting the state department in vetting visa applicants. U. S. Customs and Border Protection now utilizes the Electronic System for travel authorization to screen visa Waiver Program travelers before they are permitted to board a plane into the u. S. These agencies now also conduct recurrent vetting of all visa andesta holders to check against any new der regularer to information. These are just a few examples of the security initiatives that have been implemented in the aftermath of 9 11 and on ongoing basis as other potential vulnerabilities have been identified. Of course more work remains to be done to assure we continue to stay ahead of those who might seek to do us harm. That work must be done on a bipartisan basis. In the interest of all americans and in keeping with our principles as a nation of immigrants. Using rhetoric that divides us and alien nates our foreign partners is counterproductive to the security of the United States. Banning certain groups of people from entering this country based on their faith, whether explicitly or implicitly is unconstitutional. Playing on peoples fears and prejudices for political gain is just down right unamerican. As a country, we can do better and i hope that on this task force we will do better. America is always at its strongest when we stand together in support of our common good and our shared values. I appreciated hearing from our government witnesses yesterday in the classified setting about the good work the departments of Homeland Security and state are doing to further enhance our security. I hope to hear from these Witnesses Today about what more can be done to identify and thwart attempted terrorist travel on an individualized basis and how congress can support their efforts. I also hope to hear from our Government Accountability office witness about what their work on these issues tells us about the path that we must go forward. I look order in to a very productive hearing today and to working alongside my colleagues on the task force and with you, mr. Chairman, as we go forward. And again i thank you for holding todays hearing and thank the witnesses for joining us and i yield back. The chair now recognize the chairman the full committee the chairman from texas for any statement he may have. Thank you chairman and Ranking MemberWatson Coleman. In june, 2000, three of the hie i had jackers flew from european cities to knew yark, International Airport and were admitted into the United States. Their names area mohamed add de, alshea hee, and zee add gentleman rat. 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 Homeland Security was created by the Bush Administration and congress to help protect america from terrorist by connecting the dots. Now we face a new and growing threat to the homeland. In his speech on april the 18th, secretary 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 home lands, ten thousands of which are in europe. Our committee is taking a look at fighters. We pulled together a Bipartisan Task force to examine the threat posed to the utsds by foreign fighters, especially those traveling in and out of europe. Through this extensive sixmonth review, the task force produced more than 50 actionable recommendations to safeguard the homeland and this committee and the house passed legislation to address those recommendations. Those which became law include the foreign fighter travel review act which requires the president to review all americans who traveled to iraq and syria to join a Foreign Terrorist Organization and the National Strategy to combat terrorist travel act which requires the administration to develop a substantive strategy to combat the threat posed by extremists and prevent them from entering our country undetected. Significantly, the visa Waiver Program improvement and terrorist travel prevention act of 2015 ramped up the security of the visa Waiver Program by improved intelligence information sharing through hspd six agreements and keep terrorists from entering the United States undetected. It also includes major provisions that will make it harder for terror suspects to cross borders, including enhanced counterterrorism screening of travelers and measures to crack down on passport fraud. This new task force will pak up where the last one left off. Addressing the readiness of the homeland in light of the foreign fighter exodus. I was pleased to name congressman Mike Gallagher of wisconsin as the chair of this initiative. As a former combat veteran and middle east expert, i know he will tackle these urgent issues with seriousness and dedication. Together with the other Seven Members of this Bipartisan Task force. I know that this will be equally productive and essential for americas security. I look order in to hearing from our witnesses on the important work performed by the department and the state department to prevent terrorists from gaining access to our homeland. And with that, mr. Chairman, i yield back. Thank you mr. Chairman. Other members are reminded that Opening Statements may be submitted tort record. We are honored to be joined by a very sis dissting wished panel of witnesses. We have border immigration and trade at the office of policy, at the department of Homeland Security, mr. John whacker in Department Assistant commissioner at u. S. Cust tops and Border Protection, mr. Clark settles, assistant director for the National Security division and immigration Customs Enforcement at the department of Homeland Security, mr. Edward ramotowski, Department Assistant secretary for Visa Services at the department of state and ms. Rebecca gambler department of Homeland Security and justice issues. Thank you for being here today. The witnessess full written statements will appear in the record. The chair recognizes mr. Dougherty for a fiveminute opening statement. Just turn on your mike there. I did that five times in my first week here so dont worry about it. Thanks. Chairman gallagher, Ranking MemberWatson Coleman and distinguish committee members, thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today with my dhs state department ngo colleagues. The visa Waiver Program or the vwp was created by congress in 1980 stoichl allow citizens of qualifying countries to enter the United States for business or pleasure without having to secure a visa but only after necessary security clearances were performed. If addition to promoting and easing travel to the United States, the vwp relieved the department of state from having to interview lowrisk applicants from Program Countries at our consulates over seas. They modified it five different times. Today the program can properly be viewed not just as means of easing travel to the United States, but as a means to improve our security posture, modern eyesing screening and vetting processes, increasing information sharing within our government and with foreign partners. As the committee is aware, dhs secretary kelly has emphasized that blocking terrorists and criminals from entering the United States is a top priority of our department and were committed to working closely with congress and our inner agency and foreign partners to protect our homeland. Currently, 38 countries are approved to participate in the vwp which allows their nationals to travel to the United States for up to 90 days. Travelers are required to complete and online application in advance of travel that is known as the Electronic System for travel authorization or s. Dot. Looking at the efta applications, they perform vetting to determine whether the individual is eligible to travel under the vwp or could pose a risk to the United States or the public at large. To participate in the vwp countries must share nchks on terrorists and serious criminals, timely report lost and stolen parse ports, have robust border and security practices and engage in effective traveler and migrant screening. Looking at the criteria for lost and stolen passports, for example. Referee vwp countries have to report that loss or theft no later than 24 hours after they about become aware of it and vwp countries have contributed over 50 million such records to interpol which accounts for 70 of the interpoll holders. Rigor res level of assessments are conducted by the Homeland Security to ensure they meet the Security Standards required for continued participation in the program. The bottom line is that to join or to continue in the vwp, a country cannot represent a threat to the United States and must be working as a partner to prevent terrorist travel. The committee has contributed to the strength ending of the visa Waiver Program through its leadership in developing the vwp improvement and terrorist travel prevention act of 2015. Id like to take a moment to highlight several important changes that have resulted from dhss implementation of the act. Weve increased the sharing of terrorists and criminal identity information, several countries have increased the frequency of their reporting of lost and stolen passports to interpol. Several countries agreed to adopt new technology for vetting asylum, refugee and other applications. All vwp countries now are issuing and using for travel to the United States fraudresistant electronic passports that meet or exceed International Standards and dhs has implemented enhanced restrictions on travel under the vwp for individuals who have traveled to certain countries of concern since march, 2011, or are dual nationals of particular countries. Dhs manages the ongoing statorly monitored requiring proo says to ensure that vwp countries are consistently Meeting Progr