csua.org/u/6qe -> www.nytimes.com/2004/04/02/politics/02CND-TRAV.html?ex=1083643200&en=e875dacc987182c8&ei=5070
Extends Fingerprinting Rule to Millions More Visitors By DAVID STOUT Published: April 2, 2004 W ASHINGTON, April 2 A program requiring many foreigners to be photographed and fingerprinted before entering the United States will be expanded to include some 13 million more visitors, the Department of Homeland Security said today. Homeland Security officials said the change was decided upon after it became clear that most countries would not be able, for technological reasons, to meet the Oct. Among the 27 countries whose citizens will be affected are some of America's longstanding allies, including Britain, Japan, Germany and Australia. Asa Hutchinson, undersecretary for border and transportation security in the Department of Homeland Security, said today that the Homeland Security and State Departments will ask Congress to extend the Oct. Since January, visitors from countries that must have visas to enter the United States have been fingerprinted and photographed at scores of American airports and seaports. The new security level was put into effect in response to the terrorist attacks of Sept. The new procedures have allowed customs officials to immediately verify visitors' identities, check their criminal backgrounds and determine if they are on watch lists of suspected terrorists and other criminals. Hutchinson said the procedures are quick and unobtrusive and have helped Homeland Security and State Department officials intercept more than 200 people suspected of criminal or immigration violations. The people have included convicted rapists, drug traffickers and individuals convicted of credit-card fraud, he said. But since January, some American travelers have complained about the treatment they have received from immigration and customs officials in other countries, apparently in retaliation. Travelers from the 27 countries affected in today's announcement have been allowed to enter the United States with only a passport, provided they stay no longer than 90 days. They will still be able to do that, but now their pictures and fingerprints will be taken. The countries affected are Andorra, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. May Need to Pay to Install Antimissile Devices on Airliners (April 9, 2003) $ Find more results for 37 United States International Relations and 38 Homeland Security Department TOP WASHINGTON ARTICLES .
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