South Cook News

Congressman Dan Lipinski (IL-3) released the following statement on June 13:

“As co-chair of the Congressional Poland Caucus and a proud Polish-American, I was pleased to hear today’s news that the United States and Poland are making progress towards Poland’s entry into the U.S. Visa Waiver Program by agreeing to a Preventing and Combatting Serious Crimes Agreement. Poland is one of our closest allies and I’m happy this agreement includes a framework for the United States to deploy an additional 1,000 troops to Poland and continue our longstanding security cooperation.  Polish troops have fought alongside U.S. servicemembers in multiple conflicts throughout history beginning with the American Revolutionary War.  Though there is still more work to be done to get Poland admitted into the Visa Waiver Program, agreements like this are very helpful as part of the current process.

“I have long worked to get Poland admitted into the Visa Waiver Program and last month I introduced the Allied Nations Travel Modernization Act of 2019 (H.R.2946) to create an alternative pathway into the program for NATO nations like Poland who have met the 2% GDP defense spending obligation. Poland’s admittance into the Visa Waiver Program is important because it would make it much easier for Poles to visit the United States.  My office has helped hundreds of relatives and friends of Polish constituents obtain visas to visit the U.S. for weddings, baptisms, and other special family events.  Inclusion of Poland in the Visa Waiver Program would also help improve the economic relationship between the U.S. and Poland.  I am hopeful that the time in near for Poles to finally be rid of this burden of needing to obtain a visa to enter the U.S.”

The original announcement can be found here.