Rubio Joins Rosen, Scott, Colleagues in Letter to State Dept, DHS in Support of Israel's Participation in Visa Waiver Program

Press Release

U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Rick Scott (R-FL), and a bipartisan group of Senate colleagues sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas requesting Israel be eligible for the Visa Waiver Program. This program permits citizens from participating countries to travel to the United States for business or tourism for stays of up to 90 days without first obtaining a visa from a U.S. consulate abroad.

"We believe that adding Israel to the list of eligible countries would achieve the two explicit missions of the VWP program: to enhance national security and to boost the U.S. travel and tourism sector," the senators wrote. "Israel -- our closest ally in the Middle East -- is a perfect candidate for the Visa Waiver program."

"Travel and tourism related industries drive job creation and economic growth in states across America, from Nevada to Florida and everywhere in between, where these industries and the workers they employ are absolutely essential to states' prosperity," the senators continued. "According to the U.S. Travel Association, adding Israel to the VWP could add over 450,000 visitors from Israel to the U.S. over a three-year period, which is estimated to generate $3.6 billion in economic output and support approximately 6,000 American jobs. We urge the U.S. Department of State to formally nominate Israel for the VWP and DHS to use its authority to certify Israel as an eligible country for participation in the program."

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