In a Notice published in the Federal Registrar, The Department of Homeland Security is identifying additional land ports-of-entry (POEs) for processing aliens under the United States Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology Program (US-VISIT).  US-VISIT records the entry of aliens into the country through land ports-of-entry through a list of biometric identifiers.  In an August 2004 interim, the second phase of US-VISIT was announced, requiring certain aliens to provide identification data, such as fingerprints or photographs, upon entry at POEs.

Between November and December of 2004, the 50 most-trafficked POEs were identified under US-VISIT.  According to the August 2004 interim rule, all POEs with permanent facilities will be identified by Notice in the Federal Registrar and will begin implementing the arrival procedures of US-VISIT in 2005.

The November Notice only identifies POEs which will enroll aliens upon entry.  In the August 2004 rule, DHS stated that it will announce the procedure for data collection upon the departure of aliens through a separate Notice for selected ports.  In an effort to avoid unnecessary impediments during the peak holiday period in December, DHS hopes to execute these changes by the 2005 holiday season.