U.S. to use finger scans, photos to track foreign visitors

WASHINGTON - The public got its first look Tuesday at fingerprinting and photo equipment that will be installed at 115 airports and 14 seaports to check identities of millions of foreign visitors.

The equipment, which goes into use Jan. 5, will allow inspectors to check identities of visitors against those on terrorist watch lists.

"This gives us the ability to know those who would violate a visa or overstay a visa," said Asa Hutchinson, undersecretary for Border and Transportation Security in Homeland Security.

A General Accounting Office report issued last month called the system "a very risky endeavor" with daunting goals, likely high costs and details that had yet to be worked out. The GAO said the system could lead to long lines at ports of entry.

Hutchinson said it will add only minutes to the inspection of a traveler while significantly enhancing national security.

Travel industry groups have voiced concern that the system could hurt the industry. Members of the Travel Industry Association of America met with Hutchinson about the new system Tuesday.

"It has to be effective and in fact improve security and it has to do it without adding a really onerous burden to travelers to the United States," said Dexter Koehl, an association spokesman.

The system consists of a small box that digitally scans fingerprints and a spherical computer camera that snaps pictures. It will be used for the estimated 24-million foreigners traveling on tourist, business and student visas who enter through an airport or seaport.

Fifteen of the 19 Sept. 11, 2001, hijackers entered the United States legally on travel visas. Three were admitted with business visas. The 19th entered on a student visa. At least three of the hijackers had expired visas.

The new system will gradually phase out a paper-based system that Congress mandated be modernized.

The "exit" portion of the system to ensure visitors leave when required still is being developed.

A person whose fingerprints or photos raise questions would not be turned away automatically. The visa holder would be sent to secondary inspection for further questions and checks. False hits have been less than 0.1 percent, officials said.

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times 490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 Contact the Times | Privacy Policy Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright