The immigration officials in the US are threatening to take away visa-free privileges to many EU citizens, that allows them to enter America without applying for a visa at an embassy. This is due to the heightening dispute between Brussels and Washington over fake passports. This could affect over four million Britons who travel visa-free to America every year.
It is said that the US is worried about the rise in the number of fake passports purchased in black markets by immigrants who attempt to stay in EU countries. Washington is concerned that the increase in the circulation of fraudulent passports could allow jihadists to enter America.
A diplomat stated, “The visa waiver programme is reciprocal and delicate. Washington knows that by reintroducing visas for Europe's biggest countries it would be tearing up the scheme and Americans would lose visa-free travel rights too.”
The European Commission has objected to the US choosing individual countries; they argued that they should treat all countries equally, which will ultimately affect the UK as well.
The UK was the first country to be admitted to the visa waiver programme in 1988. This entitles an overseas visitor to remain in the US for up to 90 days, subject to them having a valid machine-readable passport, as well as having successfully registered via a web-based system that reviews their information against relevant security and police databases.
