| Amended US-VISIT Requirements includes Permanent Residents |
| Written by Lorenzo M. Lleras | |
| Wednesday, 10 December 2008 | |
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In 2003, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) established the United States Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology Program (US-VISIT) in order to verify the identities and travel documents of aliens entering the United States. Aliens subject to US-VISIT may be required to provide fingerscans, photographs, or other biometric identifiers upon arrival in the United States. Currently, aliens who arrive at a United States port of entry with a nonimmigrant visa, or those traveling without a visa as part of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), are subject to US-VISIT requirements with certain limited exceptions. This final rule expands the population of aliens who will be subject to US-VISIT requirements to nearly all aliens, including lawful permanent residents.
Exceptions include Canadian citizens seeking short-term admission for business or pleasure under B visas and individuals traveling on A and G visas, among others. Effective Date: January 18, 2009 |