Since 9/11, the Bush Administration has implemented many changes relating to border security. According to the Bush Administration, these changes have presented a challenge in balancing stronger security with facilitated travel. The Department of State recently outlined a plan of action that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff have collaborated to create a three part initiative utilizing technology to address these concerns. According to a statement from the Department of State (DOS), the three sections of this new plan are as follows: Renewing America’s Welcome with Improved Technology and Efficiency, Travel Documents for the 21^st century, and Smarter Screening.

The purpose of the first section, according to officials, is to welcome business travelers, tourists, and students – while ensuring the US is secure.  This division of the plan includes several underway actions that will aid in carrying out the goal. The first plan is Model Ports of Entry: Create a Transparent and Welcoming Entry Process for all Visitors. The Departments of Homeland Security (DHS) and State, along with the private sector and State and local governments, will introduce a pilot “model airport” in order to ensue a more welcoming environment for foreign visitors. The program will encompass features such as public customized video messages with informational about the entry process, improved screening and efficient movement of people through the border entry process, and further assistance for foreign travelers after they have been admitted to the US.

DHS and State are now offering new procedures to facilitate the visa process for the United States’ foreign employees, partners, and customers. These procedures include enrolling companies for expedited visa processing. A new pilot program to complete applications and make appointments online will be included. State has already established a Business Visa Center to facilitate visa application procedures for U.S. businesses with upcoming travel or events. Hundreds of U.S. companies are being helped every month.

This program is aimed at finding an alternative approach to applicants going to one or very few U.S. diplomatic posts in their country. Another future plan is an enhanced partnership with the private sector, which will create an advisory board that provides regular, institutional, outreach with travel, business, and academic communities by taking their views into account.

DHS and DOS will extend the time foreign students are issued visa and arrive in the U.S. before their academic study. Student visas will be issued up to 120 days in comparison to the current 90 day regulation. Entry will also be 45 days, compared to the current 30 days.

As stated, the second division of the Rice-Chertoff plan is Travel Documents for the 21^st Century. In the past, fraudulent documents have been used to cross borders and violate immigration laws. In order to decrease this, DHS and State Department plan to use the latest technologies to establish more secure travel documents, which will protect personal identity and expedite safe international travel. The increased use of Machine Readable Passports with digitized photographs has strengthened security and e-passports are expected to do the same. The U.S. will complete its transition to exclusive production of e-passports by the end of 2007.

The final section to assist in the facilitation of crossing the border into the U.S. is smarter screening. This branch of facilitation will make it possible for governmental officials to leverage technology wherever they might encounter a traveler. Through US-VISIT, DHS officers can screen foreign passengers entering the U.S. against integrated databases which contain information individuals with criminal, immigration violation, or terrorism-related history.