January 5 2004

The Department of Homeland Security initiated its latest attempt at monitoring who enters the U.S. Today, it formally inaugerated United States Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology, or US-VISIT -- at 113 airports and 14 seaports.

U.S. citizens and green card holders will not be subject to US-VISIT, and neither will people from visa-waiver countries (27 countries).

Initially, US-VISIT will affect only people traveling on visas who arrive at major air- and seaports. The government estimates that this category of international visitors accounts for about 24 million border crossings a year.

Arriving visitors will proceed through the usual customs and immigration checks, with two additional steps. First, they will have two fingerprints -- the right and left index fingers -- scanned by an inkless device. Then, a digital photograph will be taken. The information will be instantaneously compared with government security databases and watch lists. If there is no match to a suspicious or wanted person, the traveler will be allowed to proceed. If any alerts are raised by the database check, the traveler will have to step aside for further questions.

The departure component of US-VISIT is supposed to take effect by the end of 2004. Visitors leaving the country will be required to have their fingerprints scanned at special kiosks. Arrival and departure information would then be automatically reconciled.