In response to security concerns arising from Prime Minister Viktor Orban's policies, the United States has taken measures to tighten visa-free access for Hungarians. The U.S. Embassy in Budapest announced that Hungarians will now be limited to a single entry into the United States and the validity period of travel has been reduced from two years to one, Euronews reported. This move comes after Washington expressed worries about the "security flaws" resulting from Hungary's massive naturalization policy.
Previously, Hungarian citizens enjoyed the benefits of the Visa Waiver Program, allowing them to travel to the U.S. for up to three months at a time, with no limit on the number of visits. However, concerns over the identity verification process for nearly 1 mn foreigners who obtained Hungarian passports in the past decade have prompted the U.S. government to implement these restrictions.
Since 2011, Hungary has granted citizenship to Hungarian speakers in neighboring countries, leading to geopolitical tensions, particularly with Ukraine. As per U.S. officials, criminal networks exploited this policy to fraudulently obtain authentic Hungarian passports. The citizenship was reportedly granted without adequate verification of the applicants' identities, making the system vulnerable to abuse.
For years, the U.S. has urged Hungary to address these security concerns, but no satisfactory resolution was reached. This led to the latest visa restrictions, which have drawn criticism from Budapest. The Hungarian government claims that the move is "revenge" by president Joe Biden for Hungary's refusal to share its list of overseas Hungarians with Washington.
The relationship between Hungary and the U.S. has been tense for several years, with Prime Minister Viktor Orban often clashing with American officials. Orban, a far-right nationalist leader, was close to former president Donald Trump, but he has accused the current U.S. government of attempting to weaken his position.
One of the major issues raised by critics of Hungary's naturalization program is that it allows non-taxpaying ethnic Hungarians residing abroad to vote in Hungarian elections. This has been seen as giving Orban's ruling Fidesz party an electoral advantage.
Hungary, a country with a population of approximately 10 mn, is home to at least 2 mn ethnic Hungarians living in neighboring countries, primarily Romania, Serbia, and Ukraine. While the naturalization policy aimed to strengthen ties with these ethnic communities, its implications on security and electoral processes have raised concerns in the U.S.
As the U.S. imposes these visa restrictions, tensions between the two countries are likely to escalate further. The move is a significant development in the relationship between Hungary and the U.S. and could have broader implications for diplomatic ties and international relations in the region.
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