Biometric Airport and Seaport Exit Procedures Opposed

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a notice of proposed rulemaking that would establish biometric exit procedures at all U.S airports and seaports of departure. The majority of non-U.S. citizens are already required to submit digital fingerprints and a digital photograph for admission...

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The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a notice of proposed rulemaking that would establish biometric exit procedures at all U.S airports and seaports of departure.

The majority of non-U.S. citizens are already required to submit digital fingerprints and a digital photograph for admission into the country. The US-VISIT Exit Proposal would require non-U.S. citizens who provide biometric identifiers for admission to also provide digital fingerprints when departing the country from any air or sea ports of departure.

The proposed rule would require commercial air carriers and cruise line owners and operators to collect and transmit international visitors' biometric information to DHS within 24 hours of leaving the United States.

DHS completed a test of biometric exit procedures at several U.S. airports and seaports last year. Based on the results of this test, DHS determined that biometric exit procedures must be integrated into the existing traveler process.

DHS intends to implement air and sea biometric exit procedures by January 2009, fulfilling a recommendations of the 9/11 Commission.

Collecting biometric information of departing travelers would help DHS confirm when visitors leave the United States and identify non-US citizens who overstay their entry visas.

The airline industry is opposed the new security measure. Airline groups say the federal government should be responsible for homeland security and should pay the bill.

The Air Transport Association of America says "the airlines believe, like Congress, that the collection of biometric information to satisfy the requirements for US-VISIT Exit is the responsibility of the federal government, not the private sector.

"This is an industry in crisis, and adding the Department of Homeland Security $3.5 billion proposal, which we have every reason to believe, from experience, will actually be higher - on top of the financial burdens airlines already bear is unconscionable," the U.S. air carrier association added.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) condemned the proposal, saying the plan would require airlines to invest billions in new equipment and the staff to operate it.

"Border protection and immigration are government responsibilities. Airline counter staff are not a substitute for trained border patrol officers. And outsourcing exit formalities to airlines is not a responsible approach," said Giovanni Bisignani, IATA's director general and CEO.

"Airlines are committed to working with governments to help facilitate efficient immigration and border protection. We need solutions that are efficient, effective and convenient. Today's proposal does not meet any of these criteria," said Bisignani.

"Governments need to focus on modern solutions. Airlines spent the last four years using technology to respond to travelers' desire for self-service. Our Simplifying the Business program is moving passenger check-in online or to kiosks. Sending passengers back into counter queues is a big step backward," said Bisignani.

"The solution lies within the Department of Homeland Security itself. The Transportation Security Administration is already working on a security checkpoint of the future. Why is Customs and Border Protection not working with its sister agency to combine the exit process into an automated solution that is both convenient and effective?" said Bisignani.