The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced this week that additional airports are implementing the e-Passport reader program.  The latest round of airports participating in the program is Chicago-O’Hare International Airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport , Detroit Metropolitan Wayne Country Airport , Las Vegas McCarran International Airport , Miami International Airport , Tampa International Airport and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport .  The implementation of these e-Passport reader stations will continue at U.S. airports for the next few weeks.  This implementation is to meet an October 26, 2006 deadline requiring that " U.S. ports of entry have the capability to compare and authenticate data in e-Passports issued by Visa Waiver Program countries," according to a DHS press release.  

The e-Passport is intended to securely identify an individual, protect their privacy, and protect them from identity theft.  DHS created the program as an effort to curb illegal entry into the United States using fraudulent documentation.  When applying to enter the United States , foreigners who have a valid passport with a digital photograph do not need to obtain a new e-Passport until their current passport expires, if the passport was issued before October 26, 2006.  

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The Associated Press reports that the U.S. is offering to permanently resettle up to 10,000 refugees from a 12-year civil war in the African country of Burundi , the State Department said.  Under this resettlement, the refugees would be brought to the U.S. over the next two years with refugee status, and will be given the option of applying for U.S. citizenship.  

The resettlement of the refugees, who have been in camps in Tanzania after fleeing from Burundi , is in response to a request in the past year from the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees.  The refugees may be accepted by other countries as well.  

Over 250,000 Burundians were killed in the civil war before a cease-fire was arranged last month.  This country has long been divided by tension between the Tutus and Tutsis, warring factions in Burundi .  

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U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently opened a new, Records Digitization Facility (RDF) in Williamsburg , Kentucky that the agency describes as "state-of-the-art."  During the opening ceremony, USCIS Director Emilio Gonzalez unveiled the agency’s multi-year plan to digitize paper immigration files, and clarified the agency’s use of this type of modern data management platform to enhance national security.  

Gonzales said of the program: "By moving from a paper-based system to an electronic platform, we will enhance security, improve efficiency and be able to better handle any future immigration reform."  The file digitization program is aimed to become an integral part of USCIS’ ongoing efforts to make their paper records instantly available to the various federal agencies that need to access those records around the world.