Biometrics enter DHS exit system

The Homeland Security Department, under pressure from lawmakers, will proceed immediately with a plan to use biometric screening procedures at airports to verify the identities of foreign visitors leaving the United States. After telling Congress in March that a biometric exit program was not feasible, DHS announced May 7 that it would require foreigners exiting the country from airports to verify their identities via 10-fingerprint scans. DHS will work with commercial air carriers to establish the program. DHS’ U.S. Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology program, which manages entry and exit security, has conducted an experimental biometric exit program at 14 major airports during the past three years.
(Federal Computer Week story; DHS US VISIT Web site)