To the editor:

A congressional hearing was held April 21 to discuss the feasibility of extending visa-free travel in 27 countries. The extension would run until Oct. 26, 2006. Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge presided at this hearing. At a similar meeting this spring, Mr. Ridge had argued that failure to extend visa-free travel in the United States would result in “grave financial consequences” within the travel industry.

This time around, Mr. Ridge stated that electronic technology for tracking foreign travelers into the United States will not be ready by Oct. 26 and therefore the extension is needed.

During this hearing, Rep. Mel Watt of North Carolina pointed out that visa-free travel had allowed dangerous terrorists, such as the “Shoe Bomber,” to come into the United States. Mr. Watt further stated that he strongly opposes extension of visa-free travel. Rep. Zoe Lofgren of California noted that after nine years, the electronic technology in question remains unsatisfactory.

Rep. Maxine Waters of California added that visa-free travel was unwise in post 9-11 times and is discriminatory. Mrs. Waters related that no African or Latin American citizens were able to travel in the United States without visas.

The Bush administration is laden with spin artists, and Tom Ridge is no exception.

Robert Hinton,

Lawrence