The California visitor industry is worried there might be a visa backlash linked to the Paris terror attacks.
California Sen. Diane Feinstein is among congressional leaders seeking an overhaul of U.S. visa policies.
She may introduce legislation that requires visas for anyone who's visited Syria or Iraq in the last five years. The thinking is that will increase the scrutiny of some foreign travelers. And there's a chance a visa waiver program for people from 38 countries could be adjusted or even stopped.
The state's tourism industry doesn't want to see new barriers to travel.
"Everyone wants to make sure people remain safe, while not disrupting business and causing harm to our economy and to people's jobs," said Barbara Newton, president of the California Travel Association.
State officials say tourism brings California $117 billion in direct spending. A recent report also found the visitor industry put more than $9 billion in tax revenue into state and local coffers.
"We just want to make sure that any changes that are considered actually enhance security and don't unnecessarily disrupt tourism," Newton said.
Tourism officials are working with California's senior senator to make sure any visa changes don't hurt the visitor industry, Newton said.
