U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer Mary Armbrust operates the US-VISIT system in customs, Hartsfield Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, Monday, Jan. 5, 2004. (AP)
Officials Track Foreigners Entering U.S. Story aired: Monday, January 05, 2004
Beginning today, foreign arrivals to the United States from all but 28 countries will be subject to new electronic security measures -- at least those arriving by air and most arriving by sea. Visitors will have their photograph and fingerprints taken and cross checked against databases of suspected criminals and terrorists. Land border crossings will join the system over the next two years, and eventually visitors will also be asked to check out as they leave the country.
The system is called "U.S. Visit" and it is massive. So big in fact, that the General Accounting Office last year called it "a very risk endeavor."
For more we speak with Patience Wait a staff writer for the publication Washington Technology.
Guests:
Patience Wait a staff writer for the publication Washington Technology
