WASHINGTON, March 31 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. Department of Homeland Security
(DHS) announced that beginning yesterday, foreign visitors departing from
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport are required to follow
checkout procedures before departing on their flight. Visitors are asked to
provide their two index fingerscans and hold for a photo as part of a pilot
program to test and evaluate an automated biometric exit process.
US-VISIT procedures apply to all visitors (with limited exemptions)
entering the United States. Most visitors experience US-VISIT's biometric
procedures -- a digital, inkless fingerscan and digital photograph -- upon
entry to the United States. Now, if they leave from an airport or seaport
that has an exit capability like that of Atlanta, they must also check out.
The exit procedures being piloted at Atlanta require foreign visitors to
go though one of the following processes:
-- Under one alternative, visitors departing the United States will check
out of the country at exit stations located within the airport. As
with the process the visitors encounter upon entry at airports, their
travel documents will be read, their two index fingers will be scanned
at the exit station, their digital picture will be taken, and they
will receive a printed receipt that verifies that they have checked
out. A workstation attendant will be available to assist with
visitors' checkout.
-- The second alternative still uses the exit station but includes an
additional step -- verification -- at the departure gate. Visitors
will be required to present their receipt at the departure gate to
confirm that they checked out at the exit station. The workstation
attendant will scan the receipt and then ask the visitor to place an
index finger on the scanning device. Once the person's identity is
matched to the receipt, the workstation attendant will hand back the
receipt and the visitor will board the airplane.
To help the process run smoothly, U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Officers will provide foreign visitors with a card explaining the exit process
when they arrive in the United States at one of the airports participating in
the pilot. Directional map cards will be distributed by the airlines and
signs will be strategically located throughout the airport directing the
visitors to the exit stations.
The exit pilot program has been operating for a number of months in
Baltimore/Washington International Airport, Chicago O'Hare International
Airport, Denver International Airport, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
and the Miami International Cruise Line Terminal.
Exit procedures became operational at Newark Liberty International
Airport, Luis Munoz International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico, San
Francisco International Airport and Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport
in January. Exit pilots will begin shortly at Philadelphia International
Airport and the Los Angeles' San Pedro and Long Beach Seaports.
By testing and evaluating the exit processes, US-VISIT can analyze the
benefits and challenges of each in order to develop a system that enhances
security while facilitating legitimate travel and ensuring visitors' privacy.
US-VISIT is a top priority for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
because it enhances security for our citizens and visitors while facilitating
legitimate travel and trade across our borders. The goals of US-VISIT are to
enhance the security of our citizens and visitors; facilitate legitimate
travel and trade; ensure the integrity of our immigration system; and protect
the privacy of our visitors.
US-VISIT entry procedures are currently in place at 115 airports, 15
seaports and in the secondary inspection areas of the 50 busiest land ports of
entry. By December 31, 2005, US-VISIT entry procedures will be implemented in
the secondary inspection areas of all remaining land ports of entry.
To date, more than 23 million foreign visitors have been processed through
US-VISIT without adversely impacting wait times, and more than 500 criminals
or immigration violators have been denied admission to the United States
because of US-VISIT.
US-VISIT is helping the United States demonstrate that it remains a
welcoming nation-that we can keep America's doors open and our nation secure.
For more information on US-VISIT, or to learn more about exit procedures,
please visit the US-VISIT Web site at http://www.dhs.gov/us-visit .
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SOURCE U.S. Department of Homeland Security
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Related links:
http://www.dhs.gov/us-visit
CONTACT:
Kimberly Weissman or Anna Hinken of U.S.
Department of Homeland Security, +1-202-298-5200
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