Feds want to require visitors' fingerprints when leaving US

[maddezmom]

Source: AP

WASHINGTON - The Bush administration would require commercial airlines and cruise-line operators to collect information such as fingerprints from international travelers and send the information to the Homeland Security Department soon after the travelers leave the country, according to a proposed rule.

The proposal, which will be announced Tuesday, will close a security gap identified after the 9/11 attacks and identify which visitors have overstayed their visas.

Airlines and cruise ship operators must already provide the department with biographical information on international passengers before they leave the country. But this rule would require biometric information — such as fingerprints — to be collected and then transmitted within 24 hours of a visitor leaving the U.S., according to a Homeland Security official who spoke on condition of anonymity because the announcement had not yet been made.

Over 10 years, officials estimate it will cost air and sea carriers about $2.7 billion to carry out the requirement. The department plans to enforce the rule by June 30, 2009. Some air carriers have complained the federal government should cover the cost of implementing this rule.



Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080422/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/border_security

[MadMaddie]

1. These dumbasses are so short sighted do they not get that

all other World countries will start doing the same thing maybe even more extreme.

I find it ironic the Republicans want to presume all visitors to America potential terrorist even though they will never admit the Saudi's were behind 9/11.

This should pretty much finish the American tourism trade, more unemployed Americans,another success of the Republican party.

[MrModerate]

2. Excuse me, but a visa is hardly a biometric document . . .

Why would you need to confirm it biometrically? They want this data for other reasons (and based on past performance, those reasons are either club-footedly dumb, malignant, or both).

[Rabrrrrrr]

3. I just... I mean, that's a... If we... What we can do... It's a kind of a...

I can't find the words.

Jesus.

[DBoon]

4. so they are worried about who is LEAVING the USA?

hmmm...

Imagine how this could be used to catch future draft dodgers fleeing to Canada or Mexico.

[Kali]

5. I just crossed back into the US last week with some Europeans.

While they were in the building getting printed, iris photo'd, and filling out forms (and of course paying fees) I watched a busload ofUDA's get dumped by border patrol at the line - to try again the next day, you can be assured. It was a little surreal.

[uppityperson]

8. It is incredible. Beware, bad language below

fuck that shit. What the bloody hell are they playing at? Fingerprinted to LEAVE?!?!?

Next thing you know they'll start having a waiting period after finger printing before leaving. And they they'll build a wall...

I'm sorry but this really pisses me off.

[gratuitous]

6. I've got a fingerprint they can have . . .

Two, in fact.

[L. Coyote]

7. It's official then. It's easier to sneak in than to get out! LOL

[Canuckistanian]

9. YET ANOTHER reason to want to stay the Hell out of the U.S.

And not just me, but ANY international traveler.

It's already a major hassle trying to get through American airports without feeling like an intruder.

[muryan]

10. Unfortunately

I see this as an eventuality. The main issue is my mind is making sure its implemented in a way that is non restrictive and fair, which is a pipe dream as far as this government is concerned.

[JDPriestly]

11. I really don't see the point in this.

There are much simpler ways to find out whether people have overstayed their visas when they leave -- like look at their passports. The passports should be stamped with the visa dates. This makes no sense at all. This is just a way to violate the privacy of anyone who visits the U.S.

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

12. departing visitors already have to submit a I-94 card

What the hell does this do other than require more technology that the fucktards at the airport won't know how to use when it isn't already broken?

[Karenina]

19. What does it do?

It DESTROYS your tourism industry! :hi:

[Diclotican]

13. maddezmom

maddezmom

And there my future visit to your amazing country,goes down the pipe, and are re pleased by other destinations. All over the world....

Even in the Old SOVIET UNION they don't fingerprint you, if you was just wisting the country...... But in the land of the free, in the land of the brave, no expense is lost, for trying to avoid visitors to even consider come to the country any more...

Why is US going to such extreme?... On the other hand, US can be as free as the next guy, but now you are just going to the other side of the extreme and working very hard to secure that many potential visitors would go to other destinations... I for one would not just give my fingerprints, because a government wanted it for "security reasons": Not that I are a criminal, or want to do US wrong.. But rather because I believe the US government have no right, what so ever to take my biometric knowledge, just because they can do.. I don't trust any government to that extern's that I voluntary for that type of things... YOu never know when you are put aside for some 3 grade interrogation over a mismatch...

And as one have pointed out. It was not European or others who was killing american at 9/11 but Saudi-Arabian.. But under Bush jr, it have been more and more easy for saudi-arabian to come to US... How many potential terrorist cells are in US, because of that?
It is time to say to US, choose your friends... If you want us to be friends of US, good. If you want us not to be friends of US, fine. But not ask us again if you don't want us to be your friends... It goes two ways when it come to it. And US have pushed many things, to get what it want... Now it is maybe time for Europe to stand up for what they believe in, and tell US that too... Or punish US by the only means US understand it. By the purse.. It is maybe even time to tell the goverment in Washington DC that it exist other aircraft to get, than the F35... And today, it is the most expencive aircraft Norway have in mind, when it come to replace the agin fleet of F16...
I for one is little tired of "we have to do everything, even violence others privacy to be secure".. It is not security the government of US are after. But driven by paranoia that is what US are driven by today... And it is dangerous.. very dangrous...

Diclotican

Sorry my bad english, not my native language

[newfie11]

21. Because we are becoming the old Soviet Union

[Diclotican]

22. newfie11

newfie11

I would say that US of today is far worse than even the old Soviet was in their days... And that is NOT an understatement when I say Soviet was bad....

Diclotican

Sorry my bad english, not my native language.

[aquart]

14. How does it identify people who have NOT left the country?

Idiotic.

[depakid]

15. Maybe they might want to consider simply stamping passports first

rather than collecting little cards.

[dipsydoodle]

16. I guess they just want to know

whether its Tuttle or Buttle who's leaving regardless of the fact they've already killed Buttle by mistake.

[MadHound]

17. Well gee, with the dollar becoming increasingly worthless,

We were at least getting some income from the shopping tourists. Now that's going to go away, along with the regular sort of tourists, students, etc. etc. Another revenue stream dried up, just when we need all the revenue we can get.

Bushco is doing their best to destroy this country before they're gone.

[entanglement]

23. Maybe this is a way to get the tourism industry to cough up some "protection" money?

[crikkett]

18. oh shit it's a trap

so the wall along the tx border is to keep us in now?

[Bragi]

20. In a related development....

The U.S. tourism industry is fighting a perception that visitors are not welcome and that it's tougher than ever to get here because of more restrictive entry procedures, Mr. Dow complained.

He pointed out that global travel has skyrocketed since 2000. But relatively fewer travellers are opting to come to the U.S.

The industry estimates that the United States should have attracted more than 33 million overseas visitors last year, based on international travel trends. That's nearly 10 million fewer than it actually did, representing billions of dollars in losses to the economy, Mr. Dow said.


http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080421.wibtourism21/BNStory/

[Heywood J]

24. Well, here's yet another cost that will be passed on to flyers.

I mean, the cost of the ticket is already more than double the list price. No one could even delude themselves into thinking this would be paid by someone other than the end consumer.


I've heard stories from people that in the 1970s, you could just drive up to the airport the same day, pay your $20, and get on the plane... It seems almost quaint.