Reason why US limits visa waiver for Hungarians: passport fraud, security threat
On Tuesday, it was announced that the United States is restricting the visa-free regime for Hungarian passports. The US administration has cited unspecified security policy reasons. However, an article in a US newspaper has revealed what the specific problem might be. The Hungarian State Secretary for International Communications and Relations has also reacted to the events.
Yesterday, we reported based on Politico that the US has restricted Hungary’s participation in its visa waiver programme due to security concerns over new passports issued between 2011 and 2020.
Visa waiver limited for Hungarians
Citizens of countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program can travel to the United States for tourism or business for up to 90 days without a visa, using only an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). Under Tuesday’s decision, this possibility will not be completely abolished, but will only be available one year after the online profiling of the person (required for visa-free travel) and only once.
The U.S. Embassy in Budapest has claimed that between 2011 and 2020, the Hungarian government granted Hungarian citizenship to nearly one million people through a simplified naturalisation process. This happened without proper security clearance of their identity. The government was asked for these people’s data but were not given it. The Interior Ministry has responded by saying that it believes Joe Biden’s administration is “taking revenge” on Hungarians, as we reported HERE.
What is the reason behind the limitation?
Exactly what concerns have been raised by the US side, an article in The Washington Post reveals. It was noted that the move comes at a time of disagreement between Budapest and Washington over the war in Ukraine and growing fears in the West of Russian spying, Index writes.
According to the newspaper, Hungarian passports have been abused for years. In this regard, a 2018 Homeland Security document was cited, according to which some 700 people without Hungarian citizenship had unauthorised access to Hungarian passports and fake identities, including at least 65 who had gained entry to the United States thanks to visa waivers.
Serious security risks for hundreds of thousands of passports
Because the Hungarian government has not inspected and verified the identities of those who were granted passports between 2011 and 2020, individuals “who are criminals and pose a threat” to US security may also hold Hungarian passports.
“There are very serious security risks associated with hundreds of thousands of passports issued without proper identity verification requirements”, an official requesting anonymity told The Washington Post.
Yesterday, not long after the US announced the limitation concerning Hungarian passports, Russia declared that it will make obtaining visas easier for Hungarians: we can now apply for electronic visas to Russia.
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8 Comments
This statement is a joke. The US southern border is open. During Biden’s term, the brave border guards caught more than 200 terrorists entering the US. Beside the terrorists, the entry child molesters and child traffickers for pedophiliacs is flourishing. DHS lost count of 85 thousand children, many ended up as slave laborers. It is incredible to see that the US is scared of law-abiding Hungarians, because they may spread conservatism.
Our Politicians will understand and will be able to explain to the Hungarian people. It is of paramount importance to defend the border!
Furthermore – it pertains to Hungarian passports issued between 2011 and 2020 … Who was in power during that time? Who is accountable? And, apparently, the issue pertains to the Fidesz flagship simplified naturalization program, where Hungary issued passports without stringent identity verification mechanisms in place?
Turns out that we just … Gave people Hungarian passports? Shocker.
@mariavontheresa – the famous Hungarian Red Tape was waved for those who claimed Hungarian heritage. Please do read!
Some people post crazy statements that lend one to believe they are either trolls, bots or just downright stupid and gullible. MVT is one of those people. Of the three possibilities, I believe she is the latter.
A debate includes voicing different viewpoints. It does not include name calling, especially when facts stated are correct.
“Facts stated are corrct” hah… I lost count how many times I have cheked Maria’s so called facts and found them to be nothing but lies. Its no surprise that it upsets people when someone constantly tries to spread lies without ever backing up their “facts” with any decent source.
Having different opinions is fine. Trying to spread lies is not.
Concur with @mariavontheresa `s point re debate and the name calling …
Re the facts – I`m not so sure, I generally look for objective references (and try to add them to my posts)
Re mariavontheresa – I was not name calling, I was stating a fact.
Which of my facts are you questioning?
1. Report: 7 Illegal Aliens Among 19 Arrested for Child Sex Crimes in Florida County
Seven illegal aliens are among 19 men arrested for allegedly committing child sex crimes in Bay County, Florida.
2. Washington Examiner
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/284-suspected-terrorists…
New U.S. border data: 284 suspected terrorists apprehended so …
3. US southern border is open, more than 133,000 were apprehended in the month of July.
Fact stated in my opinions can always be found. The facts are either published or were part of the record of hearing by the Congress.