WASHINGTON — The Homeland Security Department is adding new screening requirements for Europeans and other travelers from countries for which a visa isn’t required for U.S. entry.
Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson says travelers from 38 Visa Waiver Program countries, including most of Europe, will have to provide more passport data, contact information and aliases before they can travel to the United States.
The move comes amid growing concern of threats from Western fighters returning from Syria.
Monday’s decision to add scrutiny for foreign travelers is the second time in a week that Johnson has announced security changes. Last Tuesday he announced extra security at various federal government buildings in Washington and other major American cities in the wake of a fatal shooting in Canada’s capital city.
