Jan 16, 2009
Major U.S. Ports of Entry Now Collecting Ten Fingerprints 

This week, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that biometric technology at major U.S. ports of entry have now been upgraded from a two- to a ten-fingerprint collection standard. This upgrade process began in 2007 as an effort to make entry into the U.S. more efficient and accurate.

"Since 2004, biometrics have facilitated legitimate travel for millions of visitors entering the United States," said Robert Mocny, director of the US-VISIT program. "The 10 fingerprint upgrade makes this proven system even more efficient and enhances the security of our nation."

Biometric information, including digital fingerprints and photographs, have been collected by immigration officials for nearly five years from all non-U.S. citizens between the ages of 14 and 79 year olds when applying for visas or arriving at major U.S. ports of entry, with just a few exceptions. State consular officials started collecting ten fingerprints from visa applicants in 2007. The upgrade has occurred in result of an interagency partnership between Homeland Security, FBI, the Department of Defense and the State Department, whose collaborative efforts, DHS says, has helped to prevent the use of fraudulent documents, protect visitors from identity theft and stop thousands of criminals and immigration violators from entering the U.S.