Why Not Us NPRPoland is a staunch U. S. ally, but its not included in a program that waives visa requirements for visitors. Some argue this presents an expensive hurdle that keeps many from traveling to America. ARUN RATH, HOST Since 1. United States has been granting visa waivers to citizens of countries it sees as trusted allies. Someone from France or Spain can relatively easily simply use their passport to visit the U. S. for up to 9. 0 days. There are 3. 8 countries whose citizens do not require visas to enter the U. S. But one key ally has been waitlisted Poland. WNPRs Catie Talarski reports that the Polish community is asking, why not us CATIE TALARSKI, BYLINE Polish Americans are the largest Slavic ethnic group in the United States, numbering around 1. And if you talk to one of them on the street in, say, Chicago or New Britain, Conn., theres one issue that undoubtedly comes up the visa restriction. M. B. BISKUPSKI Not only is it a stupid law, but its one thats very insulting to Poles. TALARSKI M. B. Biskupski is head of the Polish Studies Program at Central Connecticut State University in New Britain, a city with its own Little Poland neighborhood. BISKUPSKI It suggests that they are less worthy than other immigrants coming to the United States, which is a slap in the face. TALARSKI The rules havent changed for Poland, even as it established a democracy and became a member of the European Union and NATO. Its the only central European country not accepted into the Visa Waiver Program. Us Senate Youth Program Interview' title='Us Senate Youth Program Interview' />And its not just Polish Americans who are annoyed. Polish citizens dont want to pay 1. MATEUSZ STASIEK Ive got many friends in Poland. They want to come to New York to do some shopping for a few days. Us Senate Youth Program Interview' title='Us Senate Youth Program Interview' />But its, like, no use, you know, applying for a visa because its a lengthy process. It costs a lot. TALARSKI Mateusz Stasiek, deputy consul general of Poland, says his friends end up going to London instead. Connecticut immigration lawyer Dana Bucin works with foreign investors. Recently, she arranged a trip for representatives of 3. Polish businesses to come to Connecticut. DANA BUCIN And some of them werent able to make it. Others were delayed, and virtually all of them were upset that they were even subjected to the visa requirement. TALARSKI Illinois Congressman Mike Quigley has been working for seven years to get Poland accepted into the Visa Waiver Program. He co sponsored a bill that has the support of both Democrats and Republicans. CONGRESSMAN MIKE QUIGLEY So why hasnt it gotten doneUnfortunately, the farthest right is still under the impression that this is I dont know, their fathers Visa Waiver Program. Acharya Chatursen Pdf Programs. And they dont recognize that theres actually greater security working with countries with the Visa Waiver Program. TALARSKI Last month, the Department of Homeland Security added strict new rules for countries in the program, including requiring travelers to carry passports with electronic chips and expanding the use of air marshals on flights. JESSICA VAUGHAN I think its important not to politicize the Visa Waiver Program and use it as a way to give out political favors to allies. TALARSKI Jessica Vaughan, from the Center for Immigration Studies, worries that if Poles are able to enter without visas, many would stay longer than 9. She points out that Polish citizens have high refusal rates. Thats the number of people who apply for a visa and get rejected for reasons like not having a stable job or staying too long on a past visa. VAUGHAN Congress should not expand the Visa Waiver Program until we have more adequate enforcement in place and until visitors from Poland are demonstrating much better visa compliance than they have in the past. TALARSKI The Office of Homeland Security says its impossible to count just how many Poles are here illegally. And they dont keep track of visa overstays by country. Although his bill has 2. House, Congressman Quigley has tempered enthusiasm. Steven-Mnuchin-e1503478025248.gif' alt='Us Senate Youth Program Interview' title='Us Senate Youth Program Interview' />Hed like this to be the year for Poland, but anyone who can predict what happens in the Senate, he says, is deluding themselves. For NPR News, Im Catie Talarski. Copyright 2. 01. NPR. All rights reserved. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www. 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