DHS to add biometric data to visitor tracking program

The Homeland Security Department's visitor tracking program would soon begin capturing biometric information from certain people seeking entrance to the United States, under a proposal announced Thursday.

Slightly more than a million additional people would have biometric information recorded if the proposal is implemented, said Anna Hinken, director of the US VISIT program's office of public liaison. The move would help DHS meet its legal obligations under the 2004 Intelligence Reform Act and the 2002 Enhanced Border Security Act, which requires the biometric comparison and authentication of all U.S.-issued travel documents.

The tracking system already captures digital, inkless finger scans and digital photographs from foreign visitors, with some exceptions. Proponents of biometric identification programs say it is impossible for biometric identification to be duplicated, while a document can be forged.

The proposal is subject to a month-long comment period before a final decision is made. Comments can be submitted at www.regulations.gov until Aug. 28.

"It could take a few months" before it is implemented, Hinken said.

Federal employees would only be slightly busier if the change is enacted, she said. US VISIT already contains the identities of 61 million people, and the agency would not need additional staff or funding to include the one million additional people.

Lawful permanent residents, people seeking immigration or refugee status, individuals paroled into the United States, Canadians traveling on business, and people in the United States applying for admission into Guam all will see biometric information recorded if the proposal succeeds.

Travelers need not worry about a lengthier wait in lines at the airport, Hinken said.

"Based on our experience of the past two years, the US VISIT process has only taken an additional 8 to 15 seconds per traveler," she said.