Fingerprints for US visa in March

Effective March 2004, the United States Embassy in Port-of-Spain will begin collecting inkless fingerprints as part of the non-immigrant visa application procedure.

The new requirement, contained in the Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act of 2002, mandates that all US Embassies and Consulates issue to international visitors “only machine-readable, tamper resistant visas and other travel and entry documents that use biometric identifiers,” according to a release issued Friday by the United States Embassy. The release explains that all biometric identifiers, such as fingerprints, will facilitate rapid and precise identification of visitors to the United States.  Fingerprints will allow border control officers to more easily identify terrorists, criminals or other aliens who have been identified as a security risk.

The new measure will also protect visitors by making it virtually impossible for anyone else to claim their identity, should their travel documents be stolen or duplicated. Contacted Friday for further comment on the new procedure, a member of the Public Affairs Section of the US Embassy said the new procedure will be a simple one. According to a Public Affairs officer, the procedure will only add a few seconds to the entire application process. The officer explained that applicants will be asked to place their index fingers on a glass plate that will electronically capture two fingerprints without the use of ink. Several persons however, will be exempted from the procedure. They include children under the age of 14 years, adults over the age of 79, applicants for diplomatic and official visas, and persons applying in cases of medical emergency.

Asked whether the procedure was only being implemented for visa applicants of Trinidad and Tobago, the Embassy official said “everything that is implemented in Trinidad and Tobago as far as the US Embassy is concerned, will be implemented worldwide. This is not a special case.” Questioned whether the programme had been tried and tested, the Embassy official responded with a bit of uncertainty, saying “I guess it has been tested and that’s why it’s being implemented.” While there is no specific date as to when the fingerprinting of applicants will begin, the Embassy official said the equipment to conduct the fingerprinting will be set up in February 2004. The official also reminded that fingerprinting requirements will apply only to newly issued visas. Previously issued visas, according to the official, may still be used until they expire.