Hirono Amendment On Hong Kong Tourist Visas Added To Immigration Bill
The amendment is a relatively minor one in a bill that would create a path to citizenship and make changes to the long backlog of visa applications to bring family members to reunite with relatives in the U.S. However, Hirono said it could help increase tourism to Hawaii from Hong Kong.
“This small change to the visa waiver system could have a big impact on Hawaii’s economy,” said Hirono in a statement after the hearing. “By fixing the visa waiver process for visitors from Hong Kong, we can make it easier for thousands of tourists from this region to come to Hawaii.”
The provision would allow Hong Kong to be eligible for a program that allows tourists to be waived from having to getting visas when visiting the U.S. At a press conference in April, she noted that tourism increased when visa waivers were granted for other countries, most recently Taiwan. So much so, she said, that Hawaiian Airplines is planning on creating a non-stop flight between Honolulu and Taiwan.
Under the program, citizens of 37 participating countries, as determined by the State Department, are allowed to travel to the United States without obtaining a visa, for stays of 90 days or less. Hirono at this morning’s hearing called the proposal a “technical fix” because Hong Kong is not a country. To qualify for the waiver, visitors must be coming for business, tourism, visiting or pleasure. Studying for credit, employment, working as foreign press, or seeking permanent residence isn’t allowed under the program.
The measure passed the committee in a 14-4 vote, despite objections from Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., that Hong Kong is connected to China, although he noted the two have very different systems of government. He argued that China does not take back immigrants who have committed crimes in the U.S.
The amendment is the fifth proposed by Hirono added ot the bill, as the Judiciary Committee continues to consider more than 300 proposed amendments. Hirono’s other amendments would make it easier for families caught trying to enter the U.S. at the border to stay together, empowers a Homeland Security official to protect the rights of people going through the immigration process, allows Compact of Free Association migrants to be able to get Medicaid, and allowing Hawaii longline fishing crews to get visas.
— Kery Murakami
