Foreign visitors traveling to the United States on a visa must have their pictures and fingerprints registered into a biometric database before entering the country, under a new government program launched today.
The program, called US-VISIT, requires that most foreign visitors entering the U.S. have their two index fingers scanned and a digital photograph taken to verify their identity at any of the 115 U.S. airports that handle international flights, and 14 major seaports.
“US-VISIT is an important new element in the global war against terrorism,” said Tom Ridge, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, while greeting passengers at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. “We want to show the world that we can keep our borders open and our nation secure.”
The system utilizes biometrics, which are physical characteristics unique to each individual, to verify identity. When a visitor arrives to the U.S., the same biometrics or so-called digital “fingerscans”, will be checked to determine if the person is on a database of known or suspected criminals or terrorists.
“The only exceptions will be visitors from 27 countries – mostly European nations – whose citizens are allowed to come to the United States for up to 90 days without visas,” The Associated Press reported.
The government has been testing the new entry procedures since November 17 at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
The Department of Homeland Security today also began a pilot test of exit procedures for departing passengers holding visas. A departure confirmation program using automated kiosks is being tested at Baltimore-Washington International Airport and at selected Miami Seaport cruise line terminals. Foreign visitors exiting the United States from those locations will be required to confirm their departure at the kiosk. The government will evaluate the tests and consider alternatives to the automated kiosks for departure confirmation throughout 2004.
Congress has mandated that an automated entry-exit program be implemented at the 50 busiest land ports of entry by December 31, 2004, and at all land ports by December 31, 2005.
(via Reuters)
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