For Immediate Release:                                                                                For More Information, Contact:

May 16, 2008                                                                                                  Andrea Wuebker/Laena Fallon (202) 224-3324

SENATOR GREGG AMENDMENT ALLOWS NELSON MANDELA AND OTHER ANC MEMBERS TO TRAVEL TO THE U.S. WITHOUT EMBARRASING VISA WAIVERS AND BUREAUCRATIC DELAYS

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Judd Gregg (R-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs (S/FOPS), yesterday offered an amendment to the fiscal years 2008 and 2009 Supplemental Appropriations bill to provide the U.S. Department of State with the necessary authority to issue visas to members of the African National Congress (ANC) without obtaining waivers.  

During the apartheid regime in South Africa (1948-1994), members of the ANC were found guilty of “terrorist acts” by the government, yet the ANC was never designated a terrorist organization by the United States. Since the end of apartheid, South Africa has been a democratic government led by the ANC.  However, convictions of ANC members under the apartheid government trigger the United States Immigration and Nationalization Act, which automatically denies visa applications of ANC members and requires a waiver to be issued each time an application is made to enter the country.

                Senator Gregg stated, “Everyone agrees that Nelson Mandela and other ANC members who courageously struggled against apartheid rule should be allowed to visit the United States without embarrassing delays caused by visa waivers.  While relations between the United States and South Africa are good, the visa hassles and delays for ANC members are unnecessary irritants.  Imagine the outrage if similar restrictions were imposed by our friends and allies abroad on those who struggled for civil rights in the United States.” 

            In a recent S/FOPS Subcommittee hearing, Senator Gregg brought this matter before Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice who expressed her support for fixing this problem expediently.