US-VISIT Program :
Proposed Expansion to Include Permanent Residents
Posted Aug 11, 2006
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The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a proposed regulation on July 27, 2006, to expand the United States Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology Program (US-VISIT). The deadline for comments is August 28, 2006. The proposed expansion in the US-VISIT program would include lawful permanent residents, as well as some other categories that are now exempt. Please review our January 9, 2004 MurthyBulletin article, US-VISIT Underway, as well as subsequent articles on the US-VISIT expansion to additional ports in the U.S., all available on MurthyDotCom.
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What is US-VISIT?
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The US-VISIT program is an automated entry and exit system for persons traveling into and out of the United States. It creates entry and exit records, verifies the identity of travelers, authenticates travel documents, and checks identities against law enforcement and intelligence databases and watch lists. It utilizes biometric identifiers; usually finger scans and photographs.
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Who is Currently Included in US-VISIT?
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Under the current US-VISIT program, most foreign nationals entering as nonimmigrants (i.e. temporary categories, generally characterized by a letter) are subject to biometric screening upon arrival. There are some exceptions. The exceptions include, but are not limited to, children under 14 and persons over 79 years of age, as well as certain individuals in diplomatic and international organization categories. The nonimmigrant exceptions would remain even under the proposed change.
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Expansion to Permanent Residents and Others under US-VISIT
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The proposed changes would expand US-VISIT to include lawful permanent residents (green card holders). Those seeking initial admission as permanent residents, based on an immigrant visa, also will be included. Those paroled in to the U.S. would be added, as well, including those using advance parole issued in connection with pending green card cases. Others who will be required to submit to the US-VISIT program are: refugees and asylees, individuals on the Guam Visa Waiver Program, and certain Canadians receiving I-94s or requiring waivers of inadmissibility.
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How to Submit Comments on the Proposed Regulation
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Your comments can be submitted on or before August 28, 2006. It is necessary to identify Docket Number DHS-205-0037. The comments can be submitted by eMail. The instructions are available at www.regulations.gov. Alternatively, they may be submitted by mail to:

Michael Hardin or Craig Howie
Senior Policy Advisors, US-VISIT
Department of Homeland Security
1616 North Fort Myer Drive, 18th Floor
Arlington, VA  22209

There is controversy surrounding this proposal, due to its cost in relation to any security-enhancement benefit, as well as its extension to persons who are lawful permanent residents, many of whom have been residing in the U.S. for many years. MurthyDotCom and MurthyBulletin readers who have opinions may comment, but should be aware that the comments are posted on the Internet, without change. This is an opportunity to get involved in the democratic process, as comments and their content are reviewed when issuing the final regulation.