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US begins test of biometric procedures at two airports 01 Jun 2009 US begins test of biometric procedures at two airports
01 JUN 2009: The US. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has begun collecting biometrics—digital fingerprints—from non-US citizens departing the United States as part of a pilot programme. “Collecting biometrics allows us to determine faster and more accurately whether non-US citizens have departed the United States on time or remained in the country illegally,” said DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano. “The pilot programmes in Atlanta and Detroit will help us determine and develop standard procedures for use at airports across the country to expedite legitimate travel and enhance our nation’s security.” Since 2004, biometrics have apparently “helped the DHS prevent the use of fraudulent documents, protect visitors from identity theft and stopped thousands of criminals and immigration violators from entering the United States”. Non-US citizens leaving the United States from Detroit and Atlanta airports should expect to have their biometrics collected before boarding their flights. These pilot projects are expected to continue through July and US-VISIT plans to begin implementing the new biometric exit procedures based on these pilots within the next year. Non-US citizens departing the United States from all other ports of entry will continue to follow current exit procedures, which require travellers to return their paper Form I-94 (Arrival-Departure Record) or Form I-94W (for Visa Waiver Program travelers) to an airline or ship representative. Since 2004, the US has collected biometrics from most non-US citizens between the ages of 14 and 79, with some exceptions, when they apply for visas or arrive at US ports of entry. US-VISIT provides biometric identification services to federal, state and local agencies |
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