Congressional Statements

Pallone assails State Department's classification of India as "rogue" nation

Press Release
October 20, 2004

U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), founder of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, today assailed the State Department for its current policy of treating India as a "rogue" nation. The New Jersey congressman sent the following letter to Secretary of State Colin Powell, requesting the State Department remove India from the list of terrorist states.

October 20, 2004

Secretary Colin Powell
United States State Department
2201 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20520

Dear Secretary Powell:

I am writing to express my grave disappointment with the State Department's current policy of treating India as a "rogue" nation, with respect to visas for Indian scholars and science students applying to visit the United States.

I understand the need to apply a strict standard of review, known as the Visa Mantis procedure, when assessing visa applications of individuals from Pakistan, China, Iran, North Korea, Syria, Iraq and Sudan. These countries do not operate on democracy, and although there are scholars and scientists from these nations who will not harm U.S. security, the Visa Mantis procedure is necessary to ensure that the U.S. remains safe and that sensitive military information remains secure.

My request is for the State Department to remove India from this list of terrorist states. India is not only the largest democracy in the world and a pillar of stability in the South Asian region, but in addition, India has a civilian-controlled nuclear program and India has signed the Next Step of Strategic Partnership (NSSP) with the U.S., which is in Phase 1 of implementation.

It is simply unfair for scholars, scientists and students from India who work in sensitive technology and military fields to be subject to the Visa Mantis procedures. The Visa Mantis review delays these specific Indian visa applications by 60 days or more, and academics argue that these delays serve as a major hindrance to the United States engaging in intellectual exchange and progress in important scientific and military areas.

Removing Indian visa applications from the Visa Mantis review is consistent with our immigration laws and homeland security objectives. Again, I urge you to fix this extremely unbalanced visa policy towards India and to ensure that we do not discourage immigration and force the U.S. to lose the best and brightest minds.

Sincerely,

Frank Pallone, Jr.
MEMBER OF CONGRESS