US makes visa requirements for transit stops

WASHINGTON - Two programs that allow foreigners to travel through US airports on their way to other countries without a visa were suspended on Saturday because of security concerns, the Department of Homeland Security said.

The Transit Without Visa and International to International transit programs had allowed foreigners, who would normally need a visa to visit the United States, to connect to another international flight without the paperwork.

Recent intelligence indicates that terrorist groups have been planning to use the programs to enter the United States or US airspace without being first screened, the department said in a statement announcing the suspensions.

"The steps announced today, while aggressive, are an appropriate response to the threat," Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge said in a statement. "We know they will have an impact on international travelers, but we believe they are necessary in order to protect lives and property."

The agency issued a warning to airlines and law enforcement personnel late last month about possible airplane hijackings or bombings and expressed particular concern about people connecting from one international flight to another at US airport without a visa.

The State Department and Department of Homeland Security said they plan to reinstate the two programs after more security measures are put in place but for now they instructed airlines to stop allowing passengers to use them.

The agencies said they would reassess the suspensions over the next two months after reviewing public comments and the latest intelligence.

The Transit Without Visa, which began in 1952, permitted passengers who need a visa for entering the United States to stop at up to two US airports and change planes for another foreign destination without a visa.

Those travelers do go through normal border inspection and the airlines were responsible for making sure those passengers who take a domestic flight to a second US airport do not enter the country illegally, by holding onto the person's passport and providing an escort to the next flight.

Foreigners who normally need a visa to visit the United States were allowed under the International to International program to pass through a US airport to another foreign country without getting the documentation.

In that program, the passenger is barred from connecting through two airports and must remain in the international transit lounge.

The department did outline three exceptions, including for those people already in transit in the United States or those who bought their ticket before July 24 and will depart before August 5. Also, travellers who have already completed the outbound portion of their trip and are scheduled to pass through the United States before August 9 will be allowed to stop without a visa.