This interim rule suspends the visa and/or passport waiver provisions of Department of State regulations, commonly known as the Transit Without Visa (TWOV) and the International-to-International (ITI) programs. By waiving the passport and/or visa requirements, the provisions of Department of State regulations facilitate travel through the United States of aliens who must transit the United States on direct and continuous travel from one country to another. This waiver, however, indirectly allows this category of aliens to bypass the formal nonimmigrant visa process that includes the prescreening of aliens prior to their arrival at a port of entry in the United States. Recent intelligence indicates a possible terrorist threat specific to the TWOV and ITI programs and additional increased threats of activities against the interests and the security of the United States. Therefore the Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have determined to suspend those programs. The rule is necessary in view of the recent intelligence reports.
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