For Immediate Release
(202) 224-5653

KOHL QUESTIONS HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY NAPOLITANO ABOUT LONG WAIT TIMES FOR BUSINESS VISAS WHICH IMPACT WISCONSIN BUSINESSES

WASHINGTON  - Today, during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, Senator Kohl asked Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano to explain what steps the Department of Homeland Security is taking to decrease wait times for Business Visitor Visas (B-1 visas).   Wisconsin manufacturers have expressed growing concern that visa processing delays hinder their ability to do business with international customers.  These companies manufacture and sell complex machinery – bringing business into the American economy – but when foreign buyers apply for short-term business visas to come to the United States for training on how to use this machinery, they can face delays of more than 90 days.  

"Companies in Wisconsin are concerned that when faced with this delay, foreign customers will be more likely to turn to overseas competitors who don't have such a cumbersome visa process.  Therefore, these visa processing delays have a real potential to harm the global competitiveness of U.S. companies and cost us jobs," Kohl said at the hearing.   

Kohl acknowledged the need to maintain the highest level of national security in making visa determinations, but also noted there must be a way to improve visa processing times while still fully protecting national security interests.  

Kohl questioned Secretary Napolitano on the steps that the Department of Homeland Security is taking to decrease wait times for B-1 visas.  

Napolitano expressed a desire to work with the State Department and the Department of Commerce to shorten visa times to meet the current demands.    

Kohl intends to work with all departments involved to shorten wait times for business visas ensuring that delays don't stand in the way of U.S. commerce.