DHAKA: United States politicians are calling for changes to a law that allows Europeans and other foreigners to enter the country without visas, citing fears that jihadists could exploit the rules to stage attacks on American soil.

The visa waiver programme, which covers tourists from 38 countries, represents the "Achilles' heel of America", said Senator Dianne Feinstein, who is urging a tightening of the rules.

The attacks against the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in Paris this month have renewed concerns in Washington that extremists with Western passports will slip into the United States under the cover of the visa-free travel programme.

Ms Feinstein, former head of the Senate Intelligence Committee, is working on a Bill to reform the rules that will be proposed soon, her aides said.

Source: straitstimes.com

BDST: 0920 HRS, FEB 01, 2015