The
Trump
The administration announced on Friday that they were rescinding the admission rights of
Romania
to the U.S.
visa waiver program
that allows visa-free
travel
within just under four months of announcing its addition, to the United States.
The departing administration of former President
Joe Biden
On January 9, they announced the inclusion of Romania in the program, stating that it fulfilled strict security criteria. This included forming collaborations with U.S. law enforcement agencies for sharing intelligence regarding terrorism and major criminal activities. These updated regulations were scheduled to come into force approximately by March 31.
In late March, the Department of Homeland Security halted implementation to carry out a review. The review ultimately determined that the designation ought to be revoked to safeguard the program’s integrity and reinforce border and immigration security.
“We appreciate Romania’s strong collaboration over the years in boosting security cooperation. There might be an opportunity to revisit Romania’s eligibility for inclusion in the visa waiver program in the future,” stated Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin.
Romania became the 43rd nation to join the program and the fourth to be included under Biden’s tenure following Croatia, Israel, and Qatar. This initiative has resulted in an increase in tourism as citizens from participating countries find it simpler to visit the U.S.
The Romanian Embassy in Washington did not promptly reply to requests for comments.
This development occurs as Romanians are voting in a crucial rerun of the presidential election following last year’s invalidated poll, which led the EU and NATO member nation into its most severe political crisis in many years.
Ten aspirants are competing for the presidential position, and a runoff scheduled for May 18 is anticipated. Approximately 5.1 million individuals— constituting roughly 28.7% of registered voters—had submitted their votes as per the Central Election Bureau, including an impressive turnout of over 630,000 absentee voters casting their ballots at overseas polling locations.
Last year, Romania’s political scene experienced significant upheaval when a high court annulled the prior election. In this poll, far-right newcomer Calin Georgescu led the first round, but the results were invalidated due to claims of voting irregularities and alleged Russian meddling, something Moscow refutes.
Similar to numerous nations within the European Union, Romania is experiencing strong anti-establishment feelings due to factors such as soaring inflation, increased living costs, a substantial budget deficit, and an unresponsive economy. Analysts indicate that this discontent has amplified backing for nationalist and far-right personalities like Georgescu, who faces investigations and is prohibited from participating in the repeat election.
In March, the number of international travelers flying into the U.S. dropped roughly 10% compared to global figures from previous periods, as indicated by official statistics.
American citizens can travel to Romania for up to 90 days for leisure or business activities without needing a visa.
The Independent stands out as the globe’s premier source of unbiased reporting, offering international news, insights, and evaluations tailored for those with independent thinking. With an extensive reach across different continents, we attract a vast audience of people who appreciate our reliable perspective and dedication to fostering constructive transformations. Today more than ever, fulfilling our purpose of driving transformation becomes increasingly crucial.
Leave a Reply