Bush Seeks To Take Visitors' Fingerprints

The U.S. departments of Homeland Security and State on Friday proposed starting Sept. 30th to fingerprint electronically and photograph all travelers from 27 countries coming into the United States. The countries, which include the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy and Australia, have been unable to comply with DHS and DOS requirements that their travelers' passports carry biometric identifiers. Consequently, DHS and DOS proposed that Congress extend these requirements by two years.

"Since most countries are unable to meet the deadline due to technology-related reasons, we have asked Congress for the extension," said Asa Hutchinson, DHS Undersecretary of Border and Transportation Security, noting that an estimated 13 million travelers from these Visa Waiver Countries entered the United States last year. These travelers can enter the country for up to 90 days with just a passport. Hutchinson also noted that U.S. ports of entry are behind schedule in installing equipment that accurately can read the upgraded passports.

The issue over biometric identifiers is part of a larger conflict between the United States and European Community concerning the amount of data required for travelers seeking U.S. entry, according to consultant John Caldwell. "Congress doesn't seem to have an option but to approve the extension," he said.