- News>
- World
US to fingerprint, photograph visitors with visas
Washington, May 21: Foreign visitors arriving at US Airports or seaports beginning January 1, 2004, will have their travel documents scanned, fingerprints and photos taken and identification checked against terrorist watchlists.
Washington, May 21: Foreign visitors arriving at US Airports or seaports beginning January 1, 2004, will have their travel documents scanned, fingerprints and photos taken and
identification checked against terrorist watchlists.
Homeland Security undersecretary Asa Hutchinson released
details today of the department's new US visitor and immigration status indication technology, or US Visit, that will check the comings and goings of certain foreign
travelers.
The checks will apply to people who arrive in this
country carrying visas, which last year was about 60 percent
or 23 million of the foreign visitors, said Hutchinson, who
oversees border and transportation security.
``In 99.9 percent of the cases, the visitor will simply be wished a good day or sent on their way,'' Hutchinson said in a speech at the center for strategic and international studies, a think tank. ``But with that small percentage of hits, our country will be made much safer and our immigration system will be given a foundation of integrity that has been lacking for too long.'' Homeland Security secretary Tom Ridge had announced US visit earlier this month.
Hutchinson said when the visitor leaves, the person's departure will be verified with the US visit system.
Also as part of the program, Hutchinson said the department has created an office of compliance that will analyze all the information collected from visitors and refer any requiring follow up to investigators.
Bureau Report
``In 99.9 percent of the cases, the visitor will simply be wished a good day or sent on their way,'' Hutchinson said in a speech at the center for strategic and international studies, a think tank. ``But with that small percentage of hits, our country will be made much safer and our immigration system will be given a foundation of integrity that has been lacking for too long.'' Homeland Security secretary Tom Ridge had announced US visit earlier this month.
Hutchinson said when the visitor leaves, the person's departure will be verified with the US visit system.
Also as part of the program, Hutchinson said the department has created an office of compliance that will analyze all the information collected from visitors and refer any requiring follow up to investigators.
Bureau Report