Last night, during President Obama's address from the Oval Office, the president pledged that the Visa Waiver Program would be reviewed, and that anyone who entered the country without a Visa would be subjected to intense scrutiny to ensure that they did not enter war zones. Obama cited Tashfeen Malik, a Pakistani native and one of the San Bernardino shooters, as rationale for these changes.
Small issue: Malik didn't come here on as part of the Visa Waiver Program, as neither Pakistani nor Saudi Arabian nationals are eligible for the program. Malik actually entered the country on a K1 Visa designed for fiances of American citizens. (The reality show 90 Day Fiance on TLC actually documents couples navigating the K1 Visa process en route to a marriage before the Visa expires.) The White House was forced to issue a correction of this fact.
The White House corrects Obama’s statement on Visa Waiver Program pic.twitter.com/vvsCzvnE0A
— Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) December 7, 2015However, despite the White House's correction of the speech transcript, the official account tweeted out a graphic hours after the address that suggested that the Visa Waiver Program would be under review, but neglected to mention the K1 Visa.
Here's what Congress can do right now to defeat ISIL here at home ? https://t.co/oDIQ2V3W6i pic.twitter.com/SRHaLhj8i4
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) December 7, 2015While it's possible (and probably a good idea, to be frank) that both programs will come under review, some clarity from the White House about what is being proposed would be appreciated.