Press Release No. 156-03
10 April 2003

NEW U.S. SCREENING PROCEDURES TO AFFECT FILIPINO TRAVELLERS TO U.S.

The Department of Foreign Affairs is reminding Filipinos travelling to the United States of new security procedures adopted by the U.S. Government in screening visa applicants and potential immigrants entering U.S. territory as part of its precautionary measures against terrorist threats.

Based on reports by the Philippine  Embassy in Washington D.C., Secretary Ople pointed out that U.S. consular and immigration officials will now have access to more complete and improved information banks as they scrutinize potential visa applicants and immigrants to the U.S.

These new security procedures carefully evaluate the eligibility of visa applicants or anyone who wishes to enter the US through its newly established information sharing systems such as the Intelligence Border Inspection System and Terrorist Threat Integration Center.

The U.S. Government undertook these procedures as part of requirements stipulated under the Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act passed by the U.S. Congress in 2002.

While recognizing the U.S. Government’s need to adopt more comprehensive screening procedures for visa applicants as part of its anti-terrorism measures, Secretary Ople raised concerns when he stated that the DFA will be closely monitoring the implementation of these new measures and procedures to ensure that such do not unduly affect the opportunities for Filipinos to secure a U.S. visa for legitimate travel to the U.S. (END)