Overview

• Secretary of State Marco Rubio testified before Congress, announcing plans to reassign personnel, implement double shifts, and use AI to expedite visa processing for upcoming global events.
• Current visa wait times in countries like Colombia reach up to 398 days, with six nations facing delays beyond the June 2026 World Cup kickoff date.
• The bipartisan push from 55 lawmakers highlights the economic stakes, with the World Cup and Olympics projected to generate $22 billion in U.S. economic activity.
• Rubio’s proposals aim to balance rigorous security protocols with a streamlined visa process, but funding and procedural specifics remain unresolved.
• Travel groups and legislators warn that unresolved visa bottlenecks could harm U.S. tourism revenue and global reputation during these marquee events.