| Contacts: | Jeff Joseph tel: 703 907-7664 e-mail: jjoseph@CE.org |
Jenny Pareti tel: 703 907 7079 e-mail: jpareti@CE.org |
U.S. Visa Policies Must Be Reformed, Says CEA
CEA Praises Rep. Manzullo for Attention to Issue; Encourages Reform
| Arlington, Virginia | 11/20/2003 |
Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) President and CEO Gary Shapiro issued the following statement today in anticipation of the House Committee on Small Business hearing titled, "Lowering the Cost of Doing Business in the United States: How to Keep Our Companies Here."
"CEA thanks and commends Congressman Manzullo and his committee for scheduling a hearing to address international business issues and U.S. visa policies, in particular. Arguably more important to the U.S. economy is not simply keeping our companies here, but in drawing foreign business to our soil. As a leader in the tradeshow industry, I urge the Administration and Congress to act now in reforming our nation's visa processing backlog.
"Potential tradeshow attendees from nations with emerging economies, who provide U.S. business owners with the greatest opportunities for business growth and development, are the most likely to be denied visas today. This occurs even if they have been repeat business visitors to the U.S. who have not violated our immigration policies or law. The result is lost business opportunities for tens of thousands of entrepreneurial American companies and a lost opportunity for the U.S. to become the preeminent destination for international business.
"A new visa approval system is needed that safely discriminates between those who have demonstrated their trustworthiness and those who have not. Persons who have been provided with business travel visas in the past, have participated in business events, and have not violated U.S. immigration laws or policies should be issued expedited visas if their names do not appear on any of the nation's security watch lists. This "Fast Track" approval system would at least allow our nation to conduct its international business through our trade events with those who have demonstrated they possess legitimate business interests for travel to the U.S. Those who do not qualify for expedited issuance can then legitimately be subjected to a thorough investigation before a visa is issued.
"A denial of a visa to attend a tradeshow in the U.S. is a denial of access in all sense of the word. Far too often, the prolonged visa processing time essentially results in denial of access to many tradeshow attendees. The Administration and Congress must consider carefully the economic impact of the existing, onerous U.S. visa requirements before the only business kept here is our own."
About CEA:
The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is the preeminent trade association promoting growth in the consumer technology industry through technology policy, events, research, promotion and the fostering of business and strategic relationships. CEA represents more than 1,200 corporate members involved in the design, development, manufacturing, distribution and integration of audio, video, mobile electronics, wireless and landline communications, information technology, home networking, multimedia and accessory products, as well as related services that are sold through consumer channels. Combined, CEA's members account for more than $90 billion in annual sales. CEA's resources are available online at www.CE.org, the definitive source for information about the consumer electronics industry.
CEA also sponsors and manages the International CES - Defining Tomorrow's Technology. All profits from CES are reinvested into industry services, including technical training and education, industry promotion, engineering standards development, market research and legislative advocacy.