U.S. VISIT Exit Program Expands to 13 More Cities
According to a press release on Aug. 3, 2004,U.S.-Visit, a program instituted by the Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) that aims to improve security by identifying and tracking foreign visitors, will soon expand its pilot program. The program has been tracking the entrance of foreign visitors using biometric information at 115 airports since January. Baltimore-Washington Airport and Miami’s International Cruise Line Terminal, which have been the only two departure points to track the exit of foreign visitors, will soon be joined by 13 other air and seaports when the pilot program expands in August and September.
The new exit procedures of the airports will reflect the goals of the U.S.-Visit program—to
enhance the security of U.S. citizens and foreign visitors by matching their identity with travel documents. The program aims to help facilitate travel and trade by using biometric information technology to expedite border crossings.
The pilot program will test out different methods at the departure points to track departing visitors. Procedures will include automatic scanning of travel documents, electronic fingerprinting, and the taking of photographs. Any foreigner with a visa must comply with the program. Visitors from visa-waiver countries must comply starting September 30.
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