May 29, 2009

DHS Begins Test of Biometric Exit Procedures at Two U.S. Airports: Next Step Toward Deploying Biometric Exit Procedures for International Travelers

As part of a pilot program at The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) began collecting biometrics-digital fingerprints-from all non-U.S. citizens departing the United States. This includes the departure and arrival of Legal Permanent Residents as well. Since 2004, biometrics have helped DHS prevent the use of fraudulent documents, protect visitors from identity theft and stop thousands of criminals and immigration violators from entering the United States.

All non-U.S. citizens leaving the United States from the Detroit and Atlanta airports will have their biometrics collected prior to boarding their flights. In Detroit, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will collect biometrics while in Atlanta, the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will collect biometrics at security checkpoints. These pilot programs are expected to continue through early July.

US-VISIT plans to begin implementing new biometric exit procedures based on these pilots for non-U.S. citizens departing the United States by air within the next year.
Non-U.S. citizens departing the United States from all other ports of entry will continue to follow current exit procedures, which require travelers to return their paper Form I-94 (Arrival-Departure Record) or Form I-94W (for Visa Waiver Program travelers) to an airline or ship representative.

Since 2004, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have collected biometrics from most non-U.S. citizens between the ages of 14 and 79, with some exceptions, when they apply for visas or arrive at U.S. ports of entry. US-VISIT has simultaneously worked to create a congressionally mandated automated biometric exit capability. US-VISIT provides biometric identification services to federal, state and local agencies. In collaboration with CBP and TSA, it is leading the testing and deployment efforts for biometric exit procedures.