Rep. Scholten Urges Biden Administration to Immediately Allow for Visa-Free Travel to U.S. for Israeli Citizens
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Hillary Scholten (MI-03) and a bipartisan group of her colleagues urged the Biden administration to immediately allow for visa-free travel to the United States for Israeli citizens with family in the United States. Visa-free travel for Israeli citizens is currently set to begin on November 30th.
“As the Administration continues to work to provide Israel with all the tools it needs to defend itself against this heinous attack, we urge that you take the additional step of immediately allowing visa-free travel for Israeli citizens so that those who have family in the United States can shelter with their loved ones as the war continues,” wrote the lawmakers.
Read the full letter below and here:
Dear President Biden, Secretary Blinken, and Secretary Mayorkas,
This past weekend we witnessed Hamas terrorists commit the single largest murder of Jews on a single day since the Holocaust. Over 1,200 Israelis have been murdered and Hamas has committed unspeakable war crimes.
Over the weekend, many of us received calls from devastated constituents with Israeli family members wishing to take advantage of Israel’s recent admission into the Visa Waiver Program and host their loved ones. However, visa-free travel for Israeli citizens does not take effect until November 30th, 2023.
As President Biden and many others have said since the attacks began, the United States stands shoulder to shoulder with our ally Israel and her people. As the Administration continues to work to provide Israel with all the tools it needs to defend itself against this heinous attack, we urge that you take the additional step of immediately allowing visa-free travel for Israeli citizens so that those who have family in the United States can shelter with their loved ones as the war continues.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this request.