More fingerprints required as of Nov. 29
Starting Nov. 29, the U.S. will augment the US-VISIT program by requiring that all [non-U.S. citizens] entering the U.S. provide all 10 fingerprints for entry – an increase from the two prints required under the existing program. The new regulation will be in place first at Dulles International Airport (IAD) on Nov. 29.
In the first two quarters of 2008, the U.S. expects to implement the 10-fingerprint program at:
- Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
- Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
- Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
- George Bush Houston Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
- Miami International Airport (MIA)
- John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
- Orlando International Airport (MCO)
- San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
- Washington DC (DCA)
The program will go into effect at all ports of entry, including land and seaports, by the end of 2008. The U.S. government is introducing the new requirement in order to stem false identifications it has incurred using the two-fingerprint system. Travelers will still be required to be photographed. Once fingerprints are stored in the system, travelers will only be required to provide a flat-hand scan on subsequent visits. The new 10-fingerprint system will likely not increase entry processing times by more than a few minutes.
Resources
U.S. Department of Homeland Security US-VISIT: www.dhs.gov/xtrvlsec/programs/editorial_0525.shtm