Homeland Security border harmonization "improvements"

U.S. expands security rule for Canadians entering country on visas

WASHINGTON - U.S. officials will start taking 10 fingerprints from Canadians entering the country on visas when they start expanding a four-year security program this month.

Under US-VISIT, Canadians on visas have been required to scan their two index fingers and have a digital photograph taken.

The biometrics are used to identify people by linking them to their visas or passports.

Now, all fingers will be scanned, starting next Thursday at Washington Dulles International Airport and nine other major airports in early 2008.

So far, Canadians who need a visa to work in the United States have to go through the process, plus Canadian fiances of U.S. citizens. The program currently affects up to 10,000 people. Eventually, students, nurses and others may be included.

The database of biometrics holds some 90 million fingerprints, Robert Mocny, director of the program at the Homeland Security Department, told a briefing.

"As the database grows . . . the system needs more information to differentiate individuals," said Mocny, and there will be fewer false matches.

"And by capturing all 10 fingers, we'll be able to identify more individuals who are trying to sneak into the country."

The new rules are supposed to go into effect at all 311 ports of entry, including air, land and sea, by the end of next year.

The program, combined with a rule requiring passports or other secure documents containing proof of citizenship, will eventually reduce wait times for visitors, said Paul Morris at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency.

"We will simply have a better idea of who's in front of us and be able to more quickly process them," said Morris.

The 10-fingerprint scanners will appear first in Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Atlanta, Houston, Miami, New York, Orlando and San Francisco.

Eventually, Toronto will have one to pre-screen Canadian visa holders entering the United States.