WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05) met with Poland’s Ambassador Ryszard Schnepf to discuss Poland’s relationship with the United States and legislation Quigley introduced yesterday that would expand the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) framework to welcome new countries like Poland into the program.

“It was an honor to meet with Ambassador Schnepf and discuss the issues affecting Polish American constituents in my district, many of whom have loved ones overseas,” said Rep. Quigley. “Outdated visa procedures do not reflect the strong diplomatic ties between our two nations, and I will continue to work to realize our common goal of visa free travel for Poland.”

Polish Ambassador Ryszard Schnepf met with Rep. Mike Quigley in DC to discuss visa free travel for Poland.

Rep. Mike Quigley and Polish Ambassador Ryszard Schnepf discuss issues affecting Polish citizens in Illinois’ 5^th District.

Quigley has long advocated for expanding the VWP and introduced the bipartisan and bicameral Visa Waiver Program Enhanced Security and Reform Act yesterday. Similar legislation was previously introduced in both the 111^th and 112^th Congresses and formally endorsed by President Obama, who spoke in favor of VWP expansion last year. 

Quigley testified before Congress on the benefits of including Poland and other diplomatic partners. Last year, Rep. Quigley traveled to Poland to speak with President Bronisław Komorowski on the issue and met again when President Komorowski visited Chicago. Chicago is home to nearly one million citizens of Polish ancestry, the highest concentration of any city outside of Warsaw.

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