THUMBS-UP FOR JFK's FOREIGNER FINGER SCANS

New York Post ^ | 1/06/04 | NILES LATHEM and HEATHER GILMORE

[kattracks]

January 6, 2004 -- The United States launched a new program that scans fingerprints and takes photographs of millions of foreign visitors at Kennedy and other airports yesterday, hoping the high-tech measures will help prevent terrorists from entering the country. The $368 million identity-check program - called US-VISIT, or U.S. Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology - started smoothly at Kennedy as foreign arrivals told The Post they found the process relatively hassle-free and a small price to pay in times of terrorist threats.

[lainde]

I don't like the 28 country exemption. They should do all or none. Half the terrorists were hanging out in Europe.

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[dasboot]

Are there any TSA fingerprint techs at FR? Does the operation require a visual examination of the index finger prior to the placement of the digit on the platen?

[Caipirabob]

But we CAN'T do this! B-B-BRASIL won't like us! /barf

[rusty millet]

The pilot program...has already caught 21 drug dealers and rapists and at least one person traveling here under a false identity

NAZIS! </sarcasm>

[Cronos]

Exactly! Visitors from 27 countries - mostly from Europe - who do not need visas will be exempted.

What happens when seomone from Francistan tries to blow up something here? VISIT should be for ALL foreigners

[Prodigal Son]

Half the terrorists were hanging out in Europe.

They were also hanging out in the US as well were they not? Why not just fingerprint scan everybody? You'd catch all kinds of criminals as well. You could probably remove a lot of dangerous people from the streets by simply doing that one thing.

[Atlantic Friend]

The main reason for the exemption seems to be that European visitors to the US (and probably those who are from all these 28 countries)do not need visas, and thus do not have to be fingerprinted in the US embassies and consulates where they ask their travel documents. So, there is no original fingerprint to match.

But, frankly, I agree with you that there should not be any exception. Making exceptions is insulting to many law-abiding citizens of suspected countries, and also give terrorists the opportunity to use stolen passports from the 28 "privileged" countries.

There was some footage about the new system during the French News, and I thought the system was both smooth and respectful of the people who where checked. Perhaps the fingerprinting should be extended to all passengers worldwide, both nationals and non-nationals ?

[kidd]

I believe that this program has several planned phases. In the final phase I believe all countries will be included. This is still a pilot program.

[kaiser80]

it's strange...I wonder, are Germany and France on that list?? Poland isn't although we are said to be your faithful
ally and there is so few Polish citizens of Arabic descent.

[mr.pink]

t's strange...I wonder, are Germany and France on that list?? Poland isn't although we are said to be your faithful ally and there is so few Polish citizens of Arabic descent.

According to the list provided by today's NY Post....citizens of both France and Germany will not have to be fingerprinted.

Strangely (but smartly IMO), citizens of Isreal will be fingerprinted.

[gubamyster]

ping

[freemovement]

US Visit most definitely will have its uses for catching an assortment of undesirable characters but not necessarily terrorists. It will do nothing to stop a young "clean" terrorist (possibly from a visa-free country) entering to try and carry out an attack. Let's remember that most Hamas suicide bombers are young teenagers with absolutely no record - some even have advanced degrees.