And white house officials on may 20th, 27th, 29th, memorial day, and june 3rd on cspan and cspan. Org. A Bipartisan Committee held its first open meeting this month to examine visa security procedures and way to strengthen terrorist entries into the United States. Members heard from officials with federal agencies including customs and Border Protection, immigration and Customs Enforcement and the state department. Wisconsin republican congressman Mike Gallagher is the chair of the task force. Its about 90 minutes. The committee on Homeland Committee task force on denying terrorist entry into the United States will come toerd. We are examining the security of the visa process and Visa Waiver Program. I now 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 briefing in order to inform the American People of the security of the visa process and the Visa Waiver Program. I also want to thank chairman mccall and Ranking Member thompson for prioritizing this task force and its mission. Last congress this committees task force on combatting terrorist and foreign fighter travel 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 the chairmans leadership raised awareness about gaps in screening and information sharing both at home and with our foreign partners. Which ultimately led to positive reforms for protecting the homeland against terrorists and foreign fighters. This of course includes the Visa Waiver Program improvement and terrorist prevention act enacted major reforms in 2015. I hope this task force on denying terrorist entry in the United States will bes a successful in its investigation and in its final recommendations. I also look forward to working with ms. Watson coleman from new jersey and all the members on both sides to ensure that it is a success. I thank you for the time that you spent and i really am looking forward to this. This is a critical time for our nations security. The Previous Task force rightly focussed on the tens of thousands of jihadist fighters traveling from the west to join the fight on the ground in iraq and syria. Now, however, we see that number dropping as these fighters seek to expand their actions beyond iraq and syria and Coalition Forces continue to advance and squeeze isis territory, the threat against the west continues to rise as the fighters leave the socalled caliphate. 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 sometime in the next two to five years like weve never seen before. Those chilling words should serve as a wakeup call. Just last week it was reported that two british nationals and u. S. Citizen 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 jihadist connections, we must be able to prevent them from gaining industry into the United States by abusing our immigration system. Isis already planned, conducted inspired plots against the west including the 2015 attacks in paris and brussels, nice and berlin. Majority of the attackers were european citizens with valid passports. Its easy to imagine any one of them gaining access to the country through a valid visa or through the Visa Waiver Program. Sec stair kelly said the u. S. Is the prime terrorist target, especially since so many of these fighters are citizens of vwp countries, but 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 to our country that stem from our welcoming immigration system, like tourism trade and business, we should never cease to examine our processes through the lens of a terrorist in search of potential gaps. We must always strive to stay once step ahead. That is why we learned in the wake that is what we learned in the wake of september 11th, where all of the attackers entered the u. S. Through legal means, mainly through lawful tourist visas. This created an overhall. But our work is not yet done. We still have a lot of to learn and a lot to adapt to. Despite the reforms undertaken in the wake of 9 11, there are still gaps and weaknesses in our system. One of the attackers who killed 14 people in San Bernardino in 2015 legally entered the country on a k 1 fiance visa. Raising the level of scrutiny given to visa applications. There are remaining gaps in vetting and information sharing with other countries. Which are both vital in the fight against terrorist. I look forward to hearing from our expert witnesses on what the department of Homeland Security and the department of state are ensuring to do visa and vwp are being vetted before theyre allowed to enter into this country. I thank the witnesses for being here and their service as well as the many men and women who serve our nation at dhs and the state department. The chair now recognizing the gentle lady from new jersey ms. Watson, coleman for any statements she may have. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Im delighted to be here and share this very important task with you. I look forward to working with you. Im pleased to be here. 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 will hold our american values. Since the terrorist attacks in september 11th, 2001, congress has established the department of Homeland Security and directed the implementation of significant and wide ranging new programs and policies 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 consulates 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 to the u. S. These agencies now also conduct recurrent vetting of all visa and esta holders to check against any new 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 basis as other potential vulnerabilities have been identified. Of course more work remains to be done to ensure 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 alienates 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 the 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 account Ability Office witness about what their work on this visa issues tells us about the path that we must go forward. I look forward 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. Again, i thank you for holding todays hearing. And i thank the witnesses for joining us and i yield back. The chair now recognized the chairman of the full committee, the gentlemen from texas mr. Mccall, for any statement he may have. Thank you, chairman and Ranking Member watsoncoleman. In june, 2000, three of the 9 11 hijackers flew from european cities to Newark International airport and were admitted into the United States. That i shall names were mohammed atta, marwin, al shahi. 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 terrorists by connecting the dots. Now we face a new and growing threat to the homeland. In his speech on april 18th, secretary kelly described us as a nation under attack. Facing the highest Terror Threat level in years. Due to our brave servicemen and women, isis and al qaeda have incurred great losses in syria and iraq. Yet its 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 take an serious look at foreign fighters. Last congress we pulled together a Bipartisan Task force to examine the threat posed to the United States 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 a president to review all americans who have traveled to iraq and syria to join a Foreign Terrorist Organization and the National Strategy to combat terrorists travel act which requires the administration to develop a 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 pick 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 issue 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 forward 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. With that, mr. Chairman, i yield back. Thank you mr. Chairman. Other members are reminded that Opening Statements may be submitted for the record. We are honored to be joined by a very distinguished panel of witnesses. Mr. Michael daugtty, at the department of Homeland Security. Mr. John wagner, deputy executive assistant commissioner at u. S. Custom and Border Protection. Mr. Clark settles assistant director for the National SecurityInvestigation Division at immigration and Customs Enforcement at the department of Homeland Security. Mr. Edward ramitowski sece secretary for visa at department of state. And rebecca at the government accountAbility Office. Thank you for being here today. The witnesses full written statements will appear in the record. The chair now recognizes mr. Daugherty for five minutes for an 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 Member watsoncoleman and distinguished 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 in 1986 to allow citizens of qualifying countries to enter the United States with business or pleasure without having to secure a visa but only after necessary security clearances were performed. In addition to promoting and easing travel to the United States, they relieved the department of state from having to interview lowrisk applicants from countries at our consulates overseas. The vwp has evolved since that time with congress having modified it five different times. Today the program can be properly viewed not just as a means of easing travel to the United States but as a means to improve our security posture, modernizing 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 prevents criminals from entering the United States is a top priority of our department and were committed to working closely with congress and our inner agent of foreign partners to protect our homeland. Currently 38 countries are approved to participate dh allows their nationals to travel to the United States for up to 90 days. Travelers are required to complete an online application in advance of travel that is known as the Electronic System for travel authorization. Looking at the esta application, they conduct automated vetting to assess whether the individual is eligible to travel under the vwp 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, timely report lost and stolen passports. Have robust border and travel documents security practices and engage in effective traveler and migrant screening. Looking at the criteria for lost and stolen passports, for example, vwp countries have to report that loss or theft no later than 24 hours after they become aware of it and they have contributed over 50 million such records to interpoll which accounts for 70 of the interpoll holdings. Rigorous National Level assessments of Program Countries are conducted by the department of Homeland Security to ensure that they meet the Security Standards required for continued participation in the program. The bottom line is that to join or to continue in the vwpa 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 strengthening of the Visa Waiver Program through its leadership and developing the vwp improvement and terrorist travel prevention act of 2015. I would like to take a moment to highlight several important changes that have resulted from dhss implementation of the act. Weve increased the sharing of terrorist and criminal identity information, several countries have increased the frequency of their reporting of logs and stolen passports to interpoll. Several countries have agreed to adopt new technologies for vetting asylum, refugee and o