05 January 2004
Homeland Security Chief Launches New Border Entry Procedures
US-VISIT makes borders open to visitors, closed to terrorists
U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge was at one of the
nation's business airports January 5 for the launch of new border entry
procedures that are supposed to improve security while still allowing
smooth entry for legitimate friendly visitors.
Travelers entering the United States with a visa will be subject to the
new procedures called US-VISIT. The system employs biometrics -- the
individual's unique physical characteristics -- to ensure that the person
entering the United States is the same person who applied for and received
a visa issued by U.S. authorities in his home country.
The new system was put into effect at 115 airports and 14 seaports January
5. It will also be put in place at land ports -- highway crossings from
the United States into Canada and Mexico -- by the end of 2005.
"Legitimate travelers who fall into America's open arms should know that
they have nothing to fear in this new system," said Ridge in remarks
delivered at the airport in Atlanta, Georgia. "It is only the smallest
fraction of visitors to our country that may be involved in terrorism, but
our job at the Department of Homeland Security is to be sure they are
stopped."
US-VISIT was introduced on an experimental basis at Atlanta's Hartsfield
airport in November. In screening 20,000 passengers since then, Ridge said
the system has helped identify 21 individuals on criminal watch lists
maintained by federal law enforcement.
Following are the prepared remarks of Secretary Ridge:
(begin text)
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
January 5, 2004
PREPARED REMARKS BY SECRETARY TOM RIDGE AT THE US-VISIT ANNOUNCEMENT AT
THE ATLANTA HARTSFIELD-JACKSON AIRPORT
Atlanta, GA -- Good morning, it is a pleasure to be here at Atlanta
International Airport to announce the launch of US-VISIT, the important
new technology that you just saw demonstrated.
US-VISIT will help secure our borders and speed the entry of legitimate
travelers at airports and seaports around the country.
As many of you might know, the site of this airport was originally a motor
speedway. While today's NASCAR fans might argue with me, it is clear that
Mayor William Hartsfield brought the future to Atlanta when he encouraged
the city to convert the little used racetrack into an airport back in
1925.
Today, this has become the busiest passenger airport in the world. More
than 5 million of those passengers arrive in Atlanta from abroad, on
airlines from Air Canada to South African Airways.
They come to the United States to visit family, to conduct business, and
in many cases -- to live the American Dream. It is a dream built by a
nation of immigrants on a foundation of equality and opportunity for all.
That is why we welcome visitors of every variety -- students, tourists,
and businesspeople from Andorra to Zimbabwe.
Unfortunately, some people have sought to take advantage of our open arms
and welcoming shores -- so we must continue to protect our citizens and
visitors from those who wish us harm.
Today, I am proud to launch US-VISIT, a new national program to help
secure our borders and facilitate legitimate travel and trade.
US-VISIT will allow Customs and Border Protection Officers to focus on
"at-risk" travelers, while speeding the entry of everyone else. At the
same time, the program will protect the integrity of our immigration
system by confirming a visitor's identity and ensuring that they adhere to
visa policies.
The program has been tested right here in Atlanta for several weeks -- and
it has been a success.
While processing more than 20,000 travelers during that time, US-VISIT has
matched 21 hits on the FBI's criminal watch list -- including potential
entrants with previous convictions for statutory rape, dangerous drugs,
aggravated felonies, and several cases of visa fraud.
Starting today, we are introducing this critical new technology at 115
airports across the country, as well as in cruise ship terminals at 14
U.S. seaports. It is part of a comprehensive program to ensure that our
borders remain open to visitors, but closed to terrorists.
For the first time, we will be collecting biometric data on travelers
arriving in and departing from the United States on a visa.
In addition to the entry procedures already in place and familiar to
international travelers, Customs and Border Protection Officers will now
capture an inkless digital fingerprint -- or "fingerscan" -- as well as a
digital photograph to be matched against information gathered at
visa-issuing posts overseas.
As you saw in the demonstration, it's easy for travelers to use, but hard
for terrorists to avoid -- and takes just a couple of seconds.
In fact, during the pilot test here in Atlanta only 15 seconds were added
to processing times, bringing the total entry procedure to just more than
one minute.
However, in that small amount of time we are adding an important layer of
security.
Legitimate travelers who fall into America's open arms should know that
they have nothing to fear in this new system. Information gathered will be
kept strictly to authorized officials on a need-to-know basis and will be
governed by the Privacy Act at all times.
In fact, US-VISIT actually adds a layer of privacy for visitors by
protecting them from identity theft, or lost or stolen travel documents.
However, US-VISIT will not be kind to those who think that privacy can
hide their hate or their intention to harm.
It is only the smallest fraction of visitors to our country that may be
involved in terrorism, but our job at the Department of Homeland Security
is to be sure they are stopped. Obviously, one of the best ways is to
prevent them from entering in the first place.
US-VISIT will ensure that we not only protect the homeland, but preserve
the qualities that define our great country. We will rely on new
technology and the reliable standard of professionalism from Customs and
Border Protection Officers to keep America's doors open and our nation
more secure.
America has been -- and always will be -- a welcoming country. But we will
also always be on guard -- watchful for the signs of potential acts of
terrorism. In a post 9-11 world, we have been forced to find new ways to
confront new challenges.
We have met every challenge we have faced, and done so with cautious
respect for the elements that make our country worth protecting -- civil
liberties, democracy, and above all, freedom.
Today's announcement is no different. We have carefully addressed the
mandate to secure our borders and maintain the open doors that strengthen
the fabric of our society.
With the launch of US-VISIT, our doors remain open to those who love
America, open to those who seek opportunity, and open to our economic
partners around the world. And yet, it pulls the welcome mat from
terrorists and all those who seek this nation and its people harm.
Let there be no doubt -- this is a great step forward in the preservation
of our security -- yet another protective measure that better secures our
citizens, better speeds the process for visitors, and further helps us
preserve a country that has, must and always will be -- safe and free.
(end text)
(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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