A press conference will be held this Sunday, February 12th at 11 a.m. at the Polish Museum of America at 984 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. Representatives from the polish community will be on hand to speak on the long standing close ties between our country and the Republic of Poland. Poland wants to join the list of countries allowed to travel to the United States on the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).
Congressman Quigley, Congressman Lipinski, the co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Poland and Senator Kirk have lead the initiative to add Poland to the list of 36 countries who are on the Visa Waiver Program. The program allows eligible citizens or nationals of designated countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without first obtaining a visa. The program was established to eliminate unnecessary barriers to travel, stimulating the tourism industry, and permitting the Department of State to focus consular resources in other areas. VWP was created when Congress passed legislation in 1986 with the aim of facilitating tourism and short-term business visits to the United States and is administered by the Department of Homeland Security.
Alderman John Arena, 45th Ward, has been working with his colleagues on the City Council to encourage Congress in Washington, D.C. to pass this legislation. The alderman and his co-sponsors will introduce a resolution before the City Council on Wednesday, February 15th to show our support for the inclusion of Poland in the Visa Waver Program.
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