Homeland Security to Fingerprint Air Passengers Leaving US
May 29th 2009, 2:31 am
#1
BE Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2008
Location: Seal Rock, Oregon
Posts: 842
Homeland Security to Fingerprint Air Passengers Leaving US
Thought this was an interesting one. Next month, Homeland Security is going to scan the fingerprints of travelers, including US citizens leaving the country from Detroit airport. I guess it's a pilot scheme. The reasoning is supposedly to cut down on illegal immigration. I would have thought the number of illegal immigrants arriving via air was fairly minimal compared to other methods.
http://it.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=09/05/28/2313230
http://it.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=09/05/28/2313230
May 29th 2009, 2:49 am
#2
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 68,280
Re: Homeland Security to Fingerprint Air Passengers Leaving US
Thought this was an interesting one. Next month, Homeland Security is going to scan the fingerprints of travelers, including US citizens leaving the country from Detroit airport. I guess it's a pilot scheme. The reasoning is supposedly to cut down on illegal immigration. I would have thought the number of illegal immigrants arriving via air was fairly minimal compared to other methods.
http://it.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=09/05/28/2313230
http://it.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=09/05/28/2313230
An anonymous reader writes
puts me off these news items
Last edited by Ray; May 29th 2009 at 2:59 am.
May 29th 2009, 1:52 pm
#3
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,605
Re: Homeland Security to Fingerprint Air Passengers Leaving US
It is a real item, but TFA has been updated to include the following:
Editors Note - This story originally contained a representation that the biometrics trial in Atlanta and Detroit included the fingerprint scanning of US citizens. This has since been proved to be incorrect and the story has been modified - only non-US citizens will be expected to provide a biometric record.
May 29th 2009, 2:06 pm
#4
You aint seen me, right?
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: US of A, TN
Posts: 3,573
Re: Homeland Security to Fingerprint Air Passengers Leaving US
It's a pilot scheme? Those buggers want to stick to flying planes and not bother the passengers 
May 29th 2009, 4:38 pm
#5
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 525
Re: Homeland Security to Fingerprint Air Passengers Leaving US
May 29th 2009, 6:29 pm
#6
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,583
Re: Homeland Security to Fingerprint Air Passengers Leaving US
May 29th 2009, 8:58 pm
#8
Snickle Hubble-Sprinkles
Joined: Apr 2008
Location: Out on a limb
Posts: 730
Re: Homeland Security to Fingerprint Air Passengers Leaving US
May 29th 2009, 9:14 pm
#9
BE Site Lead
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 92,170
Re: Homeland Security to Fingerprint Air Passengers Leaving US
Many weren't illegals though, they were over on various visas and then just didn't leave....and we all know how shit the visa situation is, could do with over hauling rather than wasting money on these schemes which don't do anything and are there just for appearances sake.
May 29th 2009, 10:43 pm
#10
And YOU'RE paying for it!
Joined: May 2007
Location: kipper tie?
Posts: 2,328
Re: Homeland Security to Fingerprint Air Passengers Leaving US
I remember being scanned in one of these stupid field trials at O'Hare at least 3, maybe 4, years ago. Sounds like "look, we're busy!" work.
That didn't use to be the case - large numbers of Mexicans (and others) came and went seasonally to work the crops. An unanticipated consequence of tightening entry was that people just started staying and not going back for the winter (or was it summer?).
Im guessing the number of illegal immigrants LEAVING the US is small...
May 29th 2009, 11:10 pm
#11
Joined: Oct 2006
Location: Reno Nevada
Posts: 15,917
Re: Homeland Security to Fingerprint Air Passengers Leaving US
More delays and confusion.
May 29th 2009, 11:27 pm
#12
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2004
Location: Mother Land.
Posts: 14,858
May 29th 2009, 11:32 pm
#13
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jun 2005
Location: Oz -> UK -> San Diego
Posts: 9,912
Re: Homeland Security to Fingerprint Air Passengers Leaving US
Me too...no fingerprints though, just a scan of the passport and some kind of receipt that which had to be shown at the gate lounge.
Jun 1st 2009, 8:50 pm
#14
Just Joined
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: S.side Indianapolis
Posts: 13
Re: Homeland Security to Fingerprint Air Passengers Leaving US
I was on a busy flight from O'Hare to LHR and it really didn't take a whole lot extra time, they did it before boarding started.
Jun 1st 2009, 9:34 pm
#15
Septicity
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 23,762
Re: Homeland Security to Fingerprint Air Passengers Leaving US
Used to be pretty common here in Phoenix. You'd jump the border to get in but fly home for your holidays.