Bangladeshi businessmen in Dhaka expressed doubt that the country could produce passports that can be read electronically in time to meet the October 2006 deadline announced by the United States. This would increase the difficulty of getting visas for the United States, already a very laborious process. This allegation was made on April 19th at a monthly gathering hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh at the Sheraton Hotel. The April meeting focused on U.S. visas and the procedures to apply.
Attendees at the gathering included Elizabeth P. Gourley, head of the consular section of the U.S. Embassy in Bangladesh, U.S. Ambassador Harry K. Thomas Jr., Jean V. George, director of the U.S. Agency for International Development in Bangladesh and David Cartz, visiting deputy director of the Pakistan and Bangladesh desk, in the State Department.
"It has become very problematic for businessmen, students and travelers to get U.S. visas,” said Aftabul Islam, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh. “As the number of applications increases so do the number of rejections." Elizabeth P. Gourley acknowledged that after the attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, the process of obtaining a visa had changed and the processing time had lengthened. Under these circumstances, she advised that people applying for visas give themselves more time. Asked about harassment in U.S. airports, Gourley advised that anyone who has been subject to improper treatment should inform the State Department.
During the question and answer session, a Bangladeshi businessman pointed out that he is moving his business from the United States to the United Kingdom due to the hurdles in getting a U.S. visa. He said that although several U.S. institutions wanted to train the engineers in his company, they were not issued visas.
Gourley confirmed that applicants who have Mohammed or Khan as suffixes or prefixes to their names are having a hard time a getting visa; however, she added, “I want to make it clear that the list of names that is scrutinized does not concentrate on citizens of any particular country or any particular group.” She said that after 9/11, all information about the visa applicants has to be sent to different law enforcement agencies, including Homeland Security, the FBI and the Drug Enforcement Administration for review. Later names are checked against the list of possible terrorist suspects before being issued a clearance.
According to her, in order to remove any confusion or doubt about an applicant, more information is needed and fingerprints are required.
Addressing the issue of businessmen being denied visas, Gourley said she would look into it. She emphasized, however, that even if any person is holding U.S. visa, it does not mean that a spouse necessarily qualifies for a visa.
