Biometrics on the US Borders

The United States maintains a “secure borders, open doors” policy and welcomes what they refer to “legitimate travel” to the United States. More specifically, the United States welcomes international visitors who maintain the integrity and security of its borders.

As such, the United States issues visas and other specialized authorizations to allow people in and out combined with a biometric or biometric identifier, which is an objective measurement of a physical characteristic of an individual, which is logged in a database. This database of biometrics can be used to verify the identity of individuals or for that matter to check against entries in other countries’ databases.

The best known of these biometrics is the fingerprint scanner, but some also use facial recognition and iris scans of the eyes.

Does This Really Work?

Some would say that biometrics make the US safer by identifying possible threats and individuals that might pose a threat. Biometrics can be used to monitor the activity levels of suspected terrorists and drug dealers as well as other known criminal entities.

It also prevents counterfeit visas, ideally making the US a safer country. It allows the Departments of state and Homeland Security more specifically to more effectively process applicants and their fingerprints.

What is Required

For US Visas, biometric identifiers include a digital photo and electronic fingerprint. All applicants are electronically scanned in with inkless methods.

For those who are traveling without a Visa under the Visa waiver program, regardless of age, they must have an individual and machine readable passport in order to enter the United States. Depending on the date the passport was issued, there may be other requirements to enter the United States on this basis. If the traveler does not meet said requirements, he/she cannot travel using this method and will require a regular Visa.