Press Releases 2004

News Conference to be Held in Warsaw
As Documents are Signed in Washington

Following the endorsements of U.S. President George Bush and Polish President Aleksander Kwaśniewski at the White House in January, inspectors from U.S. Customs and Border Protection will begin the “Immigration Advisory Program” (IAP) this month at Okęcie Airport.

At exactly the same time that U.S. and Polish officials are signing a declaration in Washington establishing the IAP, their counterparts here in Poland will conduct a news conference at Okęcie Airport to answer questions about the program. U.S. Ambassador Victor Ashe and Ryszard Kalisz, Minister of Interior Affairs and Administration, will attend.

A sign of the deepening cooperation between the U.S. and Poland on immigration issues, the IAP is designed to reduce the number of travelers turned away at U.S. ports of entry because of invalid or expired visas. These passengers – who make up less than 1% of all Polish citizens admitted to the U.S. annually – will be informed that they face this likelihood and have the chance to save themselves a round-trip ride to the U.S. and the accompanying inconvenience and expense.

The inspection program is expected to begin later this month. From the passenger’s perspective, there will be minor changes to the check-in procedure at Warsaw’s Frederic Chopin Airport. U.S. inspectors will examine passenger documents. On a case-by-case basis, interviews may be conducted on a voluntary basis with certain passengers. If a passenger is likely to be denied entry, he/she will be given the opportunity not to board the flight.


JOURNALISTS MUST CONTACT THE AIRPORT PRESS OFFICE FOR CREDENTIALS AT 650 3208; BY FAX AT 650 3768, OR BY E-MAIL AT ghlebowicz@polish-airports.com.
MEDIA ARE ASKED TO SHOW UP AT 15:30 FOR SECURITY CLEARANCE.


What: News Conference on Immigration Advisory Program

Where: Marriott Courtyard Hotel (across from the Arrivals Terminal)
Okęcie Airport, ul Żwirki i Wigury 1
Warsaw

When: September 8, 16:00

Contact: Jim Bond or Dick Custin, U.S. Embassy Public Affairs, (022) 504-2323