Office of Biometric Identity Management
US-VISIT (United States Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology) is a U.S. immigration and border management system. It is claimed to have the ability to verify that travelers are who they say they are and do not pose a threat to the United States. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) US-VISIT program supports the U.S. government’s efforts to establish the identity management capability that supports that system. The system calls for a layered approach where cross-border travel and U.S. immigration activities are simple and convenient for eligible, low-risk travelers.
US-VISIT is hoped to advance the security of the United States and worldwide travel through information sharing and biometrics solutions for identity management. Since the program's inception, Congress has appropriated $330 million for FY 04, $340 million for FY 05, $340 million for FY 06 and $362 million for FY 07.
According to the US-VISIT policy, certain non-U.S. citizens who wish to enter the United States have their two index fingers digitally scanned and a digital photograph taken at the U.S. port of entry. Immigration officials have the ability to instantly check the person seeking entry against several "lookout" databases using IBIS (Interagency Border Inspection System).
There was a pilot program in effect at certain airports and seaports where visitors who used US-VISIT on entry were required to perform a similar procedure upon exiting the United States. Passengers checked out of the country at exit kiosks located within the terminal. Similar to the process the visitors encountered on entry, their travel documents were read, their two index fingers were digitally scanned at the exit kiosk, a digital picture was taken and they received a printed receipt that verified that they had checked out. The pilot program ended on May 6, 2007. DHS has said that it intends to deploy a biometric exit data collection system to all commercial airports and cruise ship departure ports by December 2008.
Initially, only visitors who required a visa inserted in their passport were included in the US-VISIT program. However, since September 30, 2004 visitors who are eligible for the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) have also been required to use the US-VISIT program. For a list of countries participating in the VWP program see: Visa Waiver Program.
The United States and Canada have special agreements for visa-free travel, and currently most Canadians are not subject to US-VISIT.
U.S. citizens are not required to be digitally fingerscanned or photographed when they enter United States territory. The Department of State began issuing biometric passports to its citizens in 2006.
Controversial foundation
The consulting company Accenture is the lead contractor for US-VISIT. The selection of Accenture in 2004 was controversial due to the location of the company's headquarters. In 2000, Accenture was created and incorporated in Bermuda, as a separation of global business consulting services from the financial consulting services of Andersen Consulting. Because Accenture was created in 2000, and because Andersen was not previously incorporated, Accenture was never previously considered to be incorporated in the United States.
Legal justification
There are four laws that authorize US-VISIT:
- Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (IIRIRA)
- Immigration and Naturalization Service Data Management Improvement Act (DMIA) of 2000 (amended and replaced the IIRIRA)
- USA PATRIOT Act of 2001
- Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act of 2002
Brazil's system
Brazil has requested to be exempted from this measure, and failing this, has implemented a similar program of fingerprinting and photographing American citizens entering Brazil. The Brazilian program has commenced in Guarulhos International Airport in São Paulo in January 2004.
Japan's system
On November 20, 2007, Japan will be instituting an immigration and border management system almost identical to the US-VISIT system. All foreign nationals (who don't fall under the 5 exemptions) will have both index-fingerprints scanned and a facial photo taken before entering the country. Unlike the U.S. system, however, it will include Permanent Residents including those with Japanese spouses and children. Those who refuse to comply will be denied entry into Japan and forced to leave.[1]
Many people, including human rights groups and foreign residents in Japan, are voicing protest over the invasion of privacy and the violation of human rights this type of system embodies.
See also
References
External links
- United States Department of Homeland Security
- Main US-VISIT Web page on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's official Web site
- Official US-VISIT fact sheet from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
- Brazil to fingerprint US citizens (BBC News)
- Border Trade Alliance
- Biometrics.gov
- Biometrics Catalog
- Biometric Insight
