Analysis: New DHS airline fingerprint plan

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WASHINGTON, April 23 (UPI) -- Angry airline executives are criticizing federal rules proposed Tuesday that would make them collect fingerprints from foreigners leaving the United States by air as part of the Department of Homeland Security's biometric border system, U.S.-VISIT.

They say the industry, already reeling from higher fuel prices and safety concerns, and beset by bankruptcies and mergers, cannot shoulder the $2 billion-plus cost of the plans and should not be doing the work of immigration and law enforcement officials.

"Given the fragile financial state of the industry, it is ludicrous to outsource this job -- which is properly a government function," said Steve Lott, North American communications director for the International Air Transport Association, which represents the global airline industry.

"You are turning airline employees into law enforcement and immigration officials," Lott told United Press International. "This is like the IRS outsourcing tax collection to accountants. … It makes no sense."

UPI