05 January 2004
New U.S. Entry-Exit System Aims to Enhance Security
Department of Homeland Security fact sheet and frequently asked questions on US-VISIT
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has upgraded immigration
procedures at 115 airports and 14 cruise ship terminals to require most
visitors traveling on visas to have two fingers scanned by an inkless
device and a digital photograph taken by immigration officials upon entry
to the United States.
The enhancements entered into force on January 5 and are part of US-VISIT
(United States Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology) -- a new
automated entry/exit system. Exit procedures of US-VISIT will be phased in
at air and seaports later in 2004.
According to a DHS fact sheet, U.S. law requires that an automated
entry/exit system be in place at the 50 busiest U.S. land border points by
December 31, 2004 and at all ports of entry by December 31, 2005.
Topics addressed include: Background Information, NSEERS and US-VISIT,
Deadlines and Timing, Visa Waiver Countries, Biometrics, Information
Collection and Use, Atlanta Pilot [test of US-VISIT technology at
Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport November 17, 2003], Land Borders,
Operations and Program Management.
More information about the program is available at www.dhs.gov/us-visit.
Following is the text of the fact sheet and compilation of frequently
asked questions on US-VISIT, as released by the U.S. Department of
Homeland Security:
(begin fact sheet)
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Press Office
(Revised January 5, 2004)
Fact Sheet
THE GOALS OF US-VISIT ARE TO:
-- Enhance the security of U.S. citizens and visitors
-- Facilitate legitimate travel and trade
-- Ensure the integrity of the immigration system
-- Safeguard the personal privacy of visitors
HOW IT WORKS: ENTRY
-- Many of the entry procedures in place today will remain unchanged and
are familiar to international travelers.
-- The new, inkless digital "fingerscanner" is easy to use. Visitors with
visas will first put the left index finger, then the right index finger on
a glass plate that will electronically capture two fingerscans.
-- U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers will review travel
documents, such as a visa and passport, and ask questions about the
visitor's stay in the United States.
-- Visitors will also look into a camera and their digital picture will be
taken.
-- The enhancements to the entry procedures add minimal time to the
process -- an average of 15 seconds in most cases.
EXIT:
-- Beginning January 5, 2004, US-VISIT will begin a pilot test of
departure confirmation systems, including an automated, self-service kiosk
where visitors with visas will scan their travel documents and repeat the
digital "fingerscanning" process on the inkless device. Attendants will be
available to assist departing visitors. The exit pilot will begin with
kiosks in Baltimore-Washington International Airport and at one Miami
Seaport cruise line.
-- In 2004, US-VISIT will pilot several alternatives for exit and after an
evaluation, select the most effective process.
-- Visitors with visas who depart from a port where the departure
confirmation system is in place must comply. The exit confirmation will be
added to the visitor's travel records to demonstrate compliance and record
the individual's status for future visits to the United States.
ENHANCING SECURITY
-- Digital "fingerscans" will be checked against a database of known and
suspected terrorists and criminals.
-- The addition of biometric identifiers, such as digital "fingerscans,"
makes our security system more effective than names databases alone.
-- Biometric identifiers also protect our visitors by making it virtually
impossible for anyone else to claim their identity should their travel
documents be stolen or duplicated.
-- By combining these entry and exit processes, and by securely storing
the travel records, we can account for visitors who require a visa for
travel to the United States.
FACILITATING TRAVEL
-- US-VISIT procedures are designed to be easy. The enhanced entry
procedures at airports and seaports add minimal time -- in most cases only
seconds -- to the immigration process, which typically takes about one
minute without US-VISIT procedures.
RESPECTING PRIVACY AND THE ENVIRONMENT
-- Travel data will be securely stored, and is made available only to
authorized officials and selected law enforcement agencies on a
need-to-know basis.
-- Environmental assessments have been completed for air and seaports and
it has been determined that there are no significant impacts as a result
of US-VISIT.
US-VISIT: TIMING AND DELIVERY
-- The Department of Homeland Security has met the Congressional
end-of-year deadline to have in place a program that strengthens security
and facilitates travel for legitimate visitors while respecting their
privacy and our environment.
-- The Department of Homeland Security is also on track to meet Homeland
Security Secretary Tom Ridge's deadline to implement technology at the
primary inspection locations that will collect and verify biometric
information (digital "fingerscans" and photos) of foreign nationals
required to obtain a visa to enter the United States.
-- The entry enhancements to the immigration process -- capturing digital
"fingerscans" and photos -- became operational in 115 airports and 14
major seaports on January 5, 2004.
-- Exit procedures will be phased in at air and seaports during 2004.
-- Entry and exit enhancements at land borders will be phased in
throughout 2004 and 2005. A Request for Proposal (RFP) was issued in
November to engage the private sector to help the US-VISIT program office
identify the optimum solution for exit and entry systems.
-- The US-VISIT program received $380 million for FY 03 and has been
appropriated $330 million for FY 04. A spending plan must be submitted to
the GAO and appropriations committees for approval before funds are
obligated.
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Press Office
(Revised January 5, 2004)
Questions and Answers
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Introduction
The Department of Homeland Security's US-VISIT program, which will serve
to protect the United States and its territories from threats to national
security, is one of the Agency's top priorities. The program will
initially provide the capability to record the entry and exit of non-US
citizens into and out of the United States, and provide officials with
information about persons who are in the United States in violation of the
terms of their admission to the United States. The US-VISIT Program will
initially apply to non-immigrants (with limited exceptions) holding
non-immigrant visas.
The goals of US-VISIT are to:
-- Enhance the security of our citizens and visitors
-- Facilitate legitimate travel and trade
-- Ensure the integrity of the immigration system
-- Safeguard the personal privacy of our visitors
Question: What are the laws authorizing the US-VISIT Program?
Answer: The principal law that mandates the creation of an automated entry
exit system that integrates electronic alien arrival and departure
information is the Immigration and Naturalization Service Data Management
Improvement Act of 2000 (DMIA).
DMIA amended previous legislative requirements for an entry exit system
that would record the arrival and departure of every alien who crosses the
US borders.
DMIA requires that the entry exit system consist of the integration of all
authorized or required alien arrival and departure data that is maintained
in electronic format in Department of Justice (now Department of Homeland
Security) and Department of State databases. This integrated entry exit
system must be implemented at all air and sea ports of entry by December
31, 2003 using available air and sea alien arrival and departure data as
described in the statute. In Section 110 of the Illegal Immigration
Reform and Immigrant Responsibility
Q: How did the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, affect the
implementation of the system?
A: The tragic acts of September 11, 2001 increased the urgency to create a
comprehensive entry/exit system, and the Congress passed two important
acts that have a significant impact on the US-VISIT Program:
-- In the USA PATRIOT Act, Congress expressed a requirement for "speed" in
the implementation and included the requirement that the White House
Office of Homeland Security (OHS) be consulted with respect to the
establishment of the Entry and Exit Program. The PATRIOT Act also
introduced the concept of biometrics to establish a technology standard
that would be used in the development of the US-VISIT System.
-- The Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act expanded on the
USA PATRIOT Act and the Data Management Improvement Act by directing
increased requirements for US-VISIT System integration, interoperability
with other law enforcement and intelligence systems, biometrics, and
accessibility.
Q: What agencies under the Department of Homeland Security are working
together to create the US-VISIT Program? What other Departments or
agencies are working with DHS?
A: The US-VISIT Program team consists of representatives from the various
components of DHS responsible for border security, including the US
Immigration and Customs Enforcement, US Customs and Border Protection, and
the Transportation Security Administration. US Citizenship and Immigration
Services is also represented. Other DHS components that assist the
US-VISIT team include the Directorate for Management and the Science and
Technology Division. In addition, outside the DHS, the team consists of
representatives from the Department of Transportation, the Department of
State, The Department of Commerce, the Department of Justice and the
General Services Administration.
Q: Who is responsible for enforcing the program?
A: The Secretary of Homeland Security is responsible for enforcing the
provisions which are the basis for establishing a comprehensive entry/exit
system. Within the Department of Homeland Security, the Under Secretary
for Border and Transportation Security is responsible for implementing
US-VISIT.
Q: How will the US-VISIT entry procedures work?
A: Many of the procedures in place today will remain unchanged and are
familiar to international travelers. A US Customs and Border Protection
Officer will review each visitor's travel documents, such as a visa and
passport, and ask questions about the visitor's stay in the U.S.
In addition, the US Customs and Border Protection Officer will use an
inkless digital "fingerscanner" to electronically capture two
"fingerscans" of arriving visitors holding visas. The visitor will be
asked to put the left index finger and then the right index finger on the
scanner. The Customs and Border Protection Officer will also take a
digital photograph of the visitor.
The biographic and "fingerscan" data will be used to verify the identity
of the visitor and will be compared against watch lists. At that point,
the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer will either admit the
visitor or conduct additional inquiries based on the verification results.
These procedures should reduce fraud, identity theft, and the risk that
terrorists and criminals will enter the United States undetected.
Q: How does a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer determine that a
person requires additional or secondary screening?
A: If the data provided indicates possible national security concerns,
other law enforcement concerns, improper documentation, or any other
ground of inadmissibility to the United States then the officer will refer
the visitor for additional screening or assistance.
Q: What is the process for visitors with visas exiting the U.S.?
A: On January 5, 2004, the US-VISIT program office began a pilot test of
departure confirmation systems, beginning with an automated exit kiosk.
When leaving the country from certain ports, visitors with visas will
'check out' at an automated self-service kiosk, located within the secure
area of major international airports or seaports, where visitors with
visas will scan their travel documents and repeat the digital
"fingerscanning" process on the inkless device. If additional assistance
is needed, a US-VISIT attendant will be available to assist with the
"fingerscanning" and document scanning process. In 2004, US-VISIT will
pilot several alternatives for exit and after an evaluation, select the
most effective process.
Q: What happens after a person 'checks out'? How quickly will you know if
they have overstayed their visit?
A: The arrival and departure records will be stored in the
Arrival/Departure Information System (ADIS). This information will verify
if an individual has complied with the admission terms of his or her visa.
It is important that those required to go through departure control
comply, so that they may be re-admitted to the United States on future
visits.
ADIS data is constantly updated, and if a visitor overstays his or her
allotted time, US-VISIT will record the failure to depart.
Q: How will you check to identify if a visitor has overstayed his or her
visit?
A: Arrival and departure records are reconciled, and any inconsistency
allows US-VISIT to determine when a visitor has overstayed.
Q: What are the consequences for an individual who overstays his or her
visa?
A: Depending upon the individual circumstances, an individual who violates
immigration laws by overstaying his or her period of admission may be
subject to removal from the United States and may be barred from future
entry, or from receiving a new visa.
Q: Will US-VISIT apply to people of all ages (babies, the elderly,
disabled, etc)?
A: Specific classes of diplomats and some other officials are exempt from
biometric enrollment under US-VISIT. There are also other exemptions, such
as visitors under age 14 and over age 79 will also be exempt from US-VISIT
procedures.
The US-VISIT Program will initially apply only to foreign visitors seeking
admission on non-immigrant visas and will not include visitors seeking
admission under the Visa Waiver Program or lawful permanent residents
(green card holders). At this time, the US-VISIT Program will not apply to
foreign visitors seeking entry at land border ports of entry.
The Department of Homeland Security will publish a federal register notice
on January 5, 2004 that will indicate the classes of foreign nationals
that will be initially required to comply with the US-VISIT biometric
requirements and will also list the air and seaports where the entry and
exit components of the US-VISIT system will initially be operational.
NSEERS & US-VISIT
US-VISIT is a Department of Homeland Security program that enhances our
country's entry and exit system for foreign nationals requiring a visa to
enter the United States. Through US-VISIT, the United States will be able
to effectively verify the identity of incoming visitors and confirm
compliance with immigration laws while continuing to facilitate the
process for legitimate trade and travel.
Q: When was the National Security Entry Exit Registration System (NSEERS)
deployed, and will it be part of the US-VISIT program?
A: NSEERS was a project focusing on a smaller segment of the non-immigrant
population deemed to present a particular national security. The National
Security Entry Exit Registration System (NSEERS) was introduced at all
ports of entry on October 1, 2002.
Currently, at the ports of entry, officers have the discretion, based on
national security criteria and intelligence reports, to refer an
individual from any country to a more detailed secondary inspection.
When US-VISIT's entry and exit procedures are fully operational, they will
subsume the place of the NSEERS program.
Q: What is domestic registration or "call ins" for certain countries?
A: Males born on or before November 15, 1986, and who are nationals of
designated countries, were required to register at a local district
immigration office. The process included an interview by an immigration
officer and the collection of fingerprints and a photograph. The list of
countries required to register were the following: Iran, Iraq, Libya,
Sudan, Syria, Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Eritrea, Lebanon, Morocco,
North Korea, Oman, Qatar, Somalia, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen,
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, and Kuwait.
Q: When was the last registration?
A: The last domestic registration period ended on April 25, 2003.
Q: Will NSEERS continue under the Department of Homeland Security?
A: Yes it will. Although, DHS recently suspended the 30-day and annual
interview requirements, registration at the ports of entry still continues
and all registrants leaving the United States must depart from a
designated port of departure.
Once the US-VISIT program is fully implemented, it will provide the
crucial information necessary on visitors to the United States for border
security and facilitation purposes and US-VISIT will subsume NSEERS.
Q: With the end of domestic registration, does that mean that there is no
longer a 30-day or annual requirement to register?
A: The 30-day and one-year re-registration requirements were discontinued
on December 2, 2003. However, DHS has the discretion to notify the
individual foreign visitors subject to NSEERS registration to appear for
at least one continuing registration interview to determine whether the
foreign visitor is complying with the condition of a nonimmigrant visa
status and admission.
When a foreign visitor registered under Student and Exchange Visitor
Information System (SEVIS) notifies DHS of a change of address or change
of educational institution through SEVIS, it also constitutes a
notification for the purposes of NSEERS registration.
The Department of Homeland Security has determined that the fully
implemented, US-VISIT and other new processes being implemented will meet
the national security needs that NSEERS previously fulfilled.
DEADLINES & TIMING
US-VISIT is a Department of Homeland Security program that enhances our
country's entry and exit system for foreign nationals requiring a visa to
enter the United States. Through US-VISIT, the United States will be able
to effectively verify the identity of incoming visitors and confirm
compliance with immigration laws while continuing to facilitate the
process for legitimate trade and travel.
Q: What are the deadlines for completing a comprehensive, automated
entry/exit program at all ports of entry (POEs)?
A: The law requires that an automated entry/exit program be implemented at
air and seaports by December 31, 2003; the 50 busiest land ports of entry
(POEs) by December 31, 2004; and all POEs by December 31, 2005.
Q: What are the deadlines by which a biometric identifier must be included
in documents?
A: By October 26, 2004, countries in the Visa Waiver Program are mandated
by the Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act to certify that
they have programs to issue their nationals machine-readable passports
that incorporate biometric identifiers that comply with standards
established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). In
addition, by the same time, the Secretary of Homeland Security and the
Secretary of State must issue only machine-readable documents that use
biometrics.
Q: What is the timing for having an exit system in place?
A: On January 5, 2004, US-VISIT will begin piloting one alternative
departure confirmation system which will be an automated, self-service
kiosk where visitors with visas will scan their travel documents and
repeat the digital "fingerscanning" process on this inkless device. In
2004, US-VISIT will pilot other alternatives for exit and after an
evaluation, select the most effective process. As the departure
confirmation system is phased in during 2004, biometric exit data will be
added to the system. If their port of departure has a departure
confirmation system in place, visitors traveling with a visa will be
required to confirm their departure prior to leaving the United States.
VISA WAIVER COUNTRIES
US-VISIT is a Department of Homeland Security program that enhances our
country's entry and exit system for foreign nationals requiring a visa to
enter the United States. Through US-VISIT, the United States will be able
to effectively verify the identity of incoming visitors and confirm
compliance with visa and immigration policies while continuing to
facilitate the process for legitimate trade and travel.
Q: Will there be a new set of rules applied to the Visa Waiver Program
countries?
A: Initially, the US-VISIT program will apply only at land and seaports to
most foreign visitors applying for admission to the U.S. pursuant to a
non-immigrant visa upon their arrival and upon their departure if they
exit from certain locations. At this time visitors who seek to enter under
the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) will not be included in the US-VISIT
program.
The Visa Waiver Permanent Program Act of 2000 directed the collection of
records of arrival and departure for every foreign visitor who travels by
sea or air and who is provided a waiver under the VWP. The act required
that these air and sea VWP records be incorporated into an automated entry
exit system.
As of October 1, 2002, no visa waiver may be granted to a foreign visitor
if the carrier is not submitting data electronically to our automated
system. This requirement is currently being met.
In addition, by October 26, 2004, countries in the Visa Waiver Program are
mandated by the USA PATRIOT Act to certify that they have programs to
issue their nationals machine-readable passports that incorporate
biometric identifiers that comply with standards established by the
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Any passport issued
after October 26, 2004, must be an ICAO-compliant travel document that
uses biometrics, if the bearer applies for admission into the United
States under the Visa Waiver Program.
Q: Which countries are in the Visa Waiver Program?
A: Andorra, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France,
Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg,
Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore,
Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom (For citizens
with the unrestricted right of permanent abode in England, Scotland,
Wales, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.)
BIOMETRICS
US-VISIT is a Department of Homeland Security program that enhances our
country's entry and exit system for foreign nationals requiring a visa to
enter the United States. Through US-VISIT, the United States will be able
to effectively verify the identity of incoming visitors and confirm
compliance with immigration laws while continuing to facilitate the
process for legitimate trade and travel.
Q: What does the word "biometric" mean?
A: A measurable, physical characteristic or personal behavioral trait used
to recognize the identity, or verify the claimed identity, of an enrollee.
Among the features that can be measured are: face, fingerprints, hand
geometry, handwriting, iris, retinal, vein, and voice. Biometric
technologies are the basis of an extensive array of highly secure
identification and personal verification solutions.
Q: When will a biometric capability be employed in the system?
A: The Secretary of Homeland Security announced that US-VISIT would have
the capability to collect biometrics, initially digital "fingerscans" and
photographs, at air and seaports by the end of 2003.
Q: Who will decide which biometric(s) are implemented in the system?
A: According to the Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act,
the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of State shall
jointly establish document authentication standards and biometric
identifiers standards to be employed on such visas and other travel and
entry documents from among those biometric identifiers recognized by
domestic and international standards organizations. The National Institute
of Standards and Technology (NIST) recommended the use of digital
fingerprints and photographs as the biometrics to be used for US-VISIT.
Q: Which biometrics are individuals required to submit for admission to
the United States?
A: The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) recommended,
and the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of State have
approved, the use of digital fingerprints and photographs as the
biometrics that will be used in the USVISIT system for U.S.-issued travel
documents. In addition, the International Civil Aviation Organization
(ICAO) has selected facial recognition as the globally interoperable
biometrics to be used for international travel. The US-VISIT system will
be designed to accommodate these technologies.
Q: What does biometrics add to the security equation?
A: The addition of biometric identifiers, such as digital "fingerscans,"
makes our security systems more effective than the current process.
Currently, only biographic data such as a visitor's name is compared
against watch lists of suspected terrorists, criminals and other
violators. The use of biometric identifiers in addition to biographic data
will make it more difficult for suspects to hide their true identities in
an attempt to escape detection and enter the United States illegally.
Biometric identifiers also protect our visitors because it makes it
virtually impossible for anyone else to claim their identity should their
travel documents be stolen or duplicated. Biometric identifiers will also
reduce fraud and abuse of the immigration system.
By combining these entry and exit processes, and by securely storing the
travel records, we can account for visitors who are required to travel
here on a visa.
Q: Is there a fee for those who will need to obtain a biometric visa?
A: The Department of State is the administrator of the program and will
determine if there is a change in the fee for issuance of a biometric
visa.
Q: When will DHS have the equipment and software in place at ports of
entry to read biometric documents?
A: Congress mandated in the Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform
Act that by October 26, 2004, equipment and software to allow biometric
comparison and authentication of all United States visas and other travel
and entry documents must be installed at all ports of entry.
Q: Will U.S. citizens be required to submit biometric data?
A: No. U.S. citizens will not be required to be digitally "fingerscanned"
or photographed upon entering the United States. However, US citizens
wishing to participate in the Dedicated Commuter Lane (DCL) programs such
as SENTRI and NEXUS or other facilitated processing programs may
voluntarily submit biographic and biometric data to facilitate their
travel.
The Department of State will begin issuing machine-readable United States
passports that include digital technology in the future. Facial
recognition, which involves electronically calibrated measurements of a
person's face to verify identity, was selected by the International Civil
Aviation Organization (ICAO) as the globally interoperable biometric for
identity verification in travel documents.
Q: Is biometric data captured on all temporary visitors and immigrants
regardless of country of origin?
A: Initially, we will capture biometrics from visitors with a
non-immigrant visa regardless of country of origin, except for most
Canadian citizens. However, as the US-VISIT program evolves, the program
may be expanded in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, in
order to meet national needs.
The United States has existing agreements with Canada, and under current
policy, most Canadians are not subject to US-VISIT.
INFORMATION COLLECTION & USE
US-VISIT is a Department of Homeland Security program that enhances our
country's entry and exit system for foreign nationals requiring a visa to
enter the United States. Through US-VISIT, the United States will be able
to effectively verify the identity of incoming visitors and confirm
compliance with immigration laws while continuing to facilitate the
process for legitimate trade and travel.
Q: What information will be collected, and how will it be stored?
A: The US-VISIT program will collect information on foreign visitors'
arrivals and departures by date, nationality, classification and biometric
identifiers. The information will be stored in databases maintained by DHS
and the Department of State as part of an individual's travel record.
Q: Who will have access to the information?
A: The system will be available to US Consular Officers, US Customs and
Border Protection Officers at ports of entry, special agents in the US
Immigration and Customs Enforcement, adjudications staff at US Citizen and
Immigration Services offices, and other appropriate federal, state, and
local law enforcement personnel.
Q: Why do these people need access to this information?
A: They need access to this information to secure our nation and our
visitors from those wanting to do harm. While the collection of biometrics
helps facilitate legitimate travel and trade, the information also
identifies non-immigrants who may have overstayed their visas or otherwise
violated the terms of their admission. Access to this information assists
in the adjudication of immigration benefits, and assists certain other
federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies on a need to know
basis.
Q: How will that information be protected?
A: Only authorized officials will have access to the data, and only for
official business on a need-to-know basis. Careful safeguards will ensure
that the data is not used or accessed improperly. In addition, the DHS
Privacy Officer will review pertinent aspects of the program to ensure
that proper safeguards are in place.
Q: What is Advance Passenger Information, and how will that be part of the
system?
A: The Advanced Passenger Information System (APIS) is information on
passengers collected in advance of their arrival by airlines and cruise
lines and sent electronically to the US Government. The information is
crucial to the clearance of passengers when they arrive at the ports of
entry. This advance information will allow the US-VISIT system to
pre-position data necessary for security and expediting purposes.
As of October 1, 2002, passenger arrival and departure information on
individuals entering and leaving the United States under the Visa Waiver
Program (VWP) has been electronically collected from airlines and vessels,
through CBP's Advance Passenger Information System (APIS).
Q: What information is currently collected on arriving and departing
passengers?
A: Currently, officers collect the information contained in the Machine
Readable Zone (MRZ) on a travel document: name, date of birth,
nationality, gender, passport number, document number, document type
(passport, visa), and country of issuance. In addition, we collect carrier
information such as flight number, etc.
Q: What will be collected under the US-VISIT program?
A: Passenger information to be submitted in advance includes: complete
name; date of birth; citizenship; gender; passport number and country of
issuance; country of residence; alien registration number (where
applicable); and complete address while in the United States.
Q: Because temporary visitors must fill out an Arrival/Departure Card
(I-94), doesn't the government already capture this information?
A: Yes, however, the airlines and cruise ships have always been required
by law to submit this information. The new laws do require the information
in advance of the arrival of the foreign national as well as in an
electronic format.
Q: Once that data is captured, how is it used?
A: The Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) sends this data to the
Interagency Border Inspection System (IBIS) which is a subset of the
Arrival and Departure Information System (ADIS) for matching arrivals and
departures and reporting purposes. The ADIS sends all arrival information
on students to the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System
(SEVIS), which enables the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
to notify the schools that a new foreign student has arrived and should be
at their school within 30 days.
In practice, the arrival and departure records are based on passenger
manifest information that carriers transmit to CBP. As of October 1, 2002,
waivers may not be provided to a temporary foreign visitor arriving by air
or sea at a port of entry in the United States on a carrier unless the
carrier is electronically transmitting passenger data.
ATLANTA PILOT
US-VISIT is a Department of Homeland Security program that enhances our
country's entry and exit system for foreign nationals requiring a visa to
enter the United States. Through US-VISIT, the United States will be able
to effectively verify the identity of incoming visitors and confirm
compliance with immigration laws while continuing to facilitate the
process for legitimate trade and travel.
Q: How many travelers underwent the US-VISIT entry procedures during the
test?
A: More than 20,000 passengers participated in the voluntary US-VISIT
pilot test in Atlanta.
Q: Where were the flights coming from during the Atlanta test?
A: Central and South America, Europe, Asia and South Africa.
Q: What airlines were participating?
A: All airlines serving international routes participated.
Q: What was the average US-VISIT processing time that you recorded in
Atlanta?
A: US-VISIT added an average of 15 seconds to passenger processing time.
Q: What obstacles have you encountered during the test?
A: No significant problems emerged during the pilot. Officers were trained
on the new screens and the process. Signage at the immigration areas
helped passengers understand the simple procedures.
Q: How did travelers know what to do at the inspection booth?
A: They received explanatory cards in different languages on their
airplanes, have read posted signs and were assisted by the US Customs and
Border Protection Officers.
LAND BORDERS
US-VISIT is a Department of Homeland Security program that enhances our
country's entry and exit system for foreign nationals requiring a visa to
enter the United States. Through US-VISIT, the United States will be able
to effectively verify the identity of incoming visitors and confirm
compliance with immigration laws while continuing to facilitate the
process for legitimate trade and travel.
Q: Because of processing delays, won't US-VISIT hurt cross-border commerce
and travel along the border between the United States and Mexico?
A: We do not anticipate that US VISIT will add significant delays at land
borders but we are very mindful of concerns about that, and have been
meeting with various community groups along the border to discuss their
concerns. We anticipate utilizing advanced technology to meet statutory
requirements, while minimizing delays. US-VISIT is not required to be
implemented at the 50 busiest land border ports until December 31, 2004.
Q: How much time will the new system add to border crossings?
A: Both the President of the United States and the United States Congress
have mandated that border security enhancements not adversely affect
legitimate travel and trade. In accordance with these mandates, US VISIT
will be designed to keep processing times to a minimum.
Q: Will there be an exit requirement in the border areas?
A: The Department of Homeland Security is working in partnership with the
private sector to identify the optimum set of solutions for land border
processing.
Q: Will there be a change in policies for people with green cards?
A: At this time, US-VISIT only applies to foreign visitors seeking to be
admitted pursuant to a non-immigrant visa who travel through designated
air and seaports. It does not yet apply to immigrants or lawful permanent
residents (green card holders).
Q: Will individuals have to pay an additional fee to cross the border
under this system?
A: No. The United States Congress appropriated $380 million in FY 03 and
$330 million for FY 04 to cover the financial cost of the US-VISIT
program. Currently, there are no plans to charge an additional fee to
cross the border.
OPERATIONS & PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
US-VISIT is a Department of Homeland Security program that enhances our
country's entry and exit system for foreign nationals requiring a visa to
enter the United States. Through US-VISIT, the United States will be able
to effectively verify the identity of incoming visitors and confirm
compliance with immigration laws while continuing to facilitate the
process for legitimate trade and travel.
Q: What progress has been made in the implementation of the US-VISIT
Program?
A: Secretary Ridge approved the creation of a US-VISIT program office, and
positions have been approved to fill the organization and manage the
program.
Of the $380 million in FY 03 spending, US-VISIT funding includes the
purchasing of new computers and other equipment currently at 115 airports
and 14 seaports.
Q: Will a more comprehensive check in/check out system at the ports of
entry cause significant delays at the air and sea ports of entry?
A: We do not believe so. Most of the arrival processes remain unchanged
and are familiar to international travelers. Only two additional
procedures have been added to the current inspection process - capturing
two digital "fingerscans" and taking a digital photograph. The process is
fast and easy.
As part of the enhanced procedures, visitors traveling on visas will be
photographed and have two digital "fingerscans" taken at the Passport
Control primary booth using a simple, inkless device. All of the data and
information is then compared against our inspection and law enforcement
databases to verify the visitor's identity and assist the officer in
making better admissibility decisions. The "fingerscanning", photographing
and verification adds a few seconds. At that point, the US Customs and
Border Protection Officer will either admit the visitor or conduct
additional inquiries based on the verification results.
Through the use of advance information, the US government will be better
able to assess individuals entering the US, which will enable officers to
expedite processing of visitors who enter the country legally. Our goal is
to both improve our security system as well as facilitate the flow of
legitimate trade and travel. Over time, we will continue to enhance the
entry-exit system.
Q: How much money has the US-VISIT program received in fiscal year 03?
A: The US-VISIT Program has received $380 million for FY 03.
Q: How much money has the US-VISIT program received in fiscal year 04?
A: Congress appropriated $330 million in fiscal year 04; however the
appropriations laws require that DHS submit a spending plan and meet other
conditions and obtain approval from the Appropriation Committees before we
may obligate any of the $330 million.
Q: How are you working with the travel and airport/seaport industries to
keep them updated and address their concerns about the program?
A: We are working closely with the air and sea industry regarding the
requirements of the US-VISIT program. We see our relationship as a
partnership and will continue to work together to secure our nation's
borders while facilitating legitimate travel and trade.
Q: When was the Request For Proposals (RFP) issued?
A: In accordance with our published schedule, the RFP was issued in
November 2003. The RFP incorporates an acquisition strategy to ensure the
latest technologies available will be incorporated into US-VISIT. The
contract for this technology is expected to be issued in May 2004.
(end fact sheet)
(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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