A pair of bills that U.S. Rep. Will Hurd (R-TX) recently reintroduced would crack down on terrorist travel to and from western countries using enhanced screening and open-source software.
The Strong Visa Integrity Secures America Act would ramp-up visa screening procedures that are used at U.S. embassies overseas. The Enhancing Overseas Traveler Vetting Act would authorize the development of open-source software to help the United States and its allies identify suspected terrorists.
“Since 2013, there have been 37 ISIS-linked plots to attack the U.S., and another 78 in Europe,” said Hurd, a member of the House Committees on Intelligence and Oversight and Government Reform.
“The Manchester attack was a horrific reminder that security gaps are being exploited by extremists, putting the U.S. and our allies in constant danger. As terrorist threats against Americans remain high, we must respond by eliminating visa loopholes, strengthening screening measures, and deploying trained personnel to properly vet visa applicants overseas,” said Hurd, a veteran of the CIA.
Hurd identified vulnerabilities in the visa screening process while serving on the House Homeland Security Committee’s Task Force on Combatting Terrorist and Foreign Fighter Travel. He previously introduced both bills in the 114th Congress.
“We cannot afford to let terrorists exploit our vulnerabilities and slip through the cracks,” Hurd said. “By assisting our allies and closing these loopholes, we can keep terrorists on the run and off our shores.”