As reported by the Associated Press, this information will be transmitted to the US Department of Homeland Security within 24 hours of the person leaving the country. The new rule is expected to take effect by June 30, 2009.
Commenting on the innovation, Congressman Bennie Thompson, chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, said that even the slightest uncertainty about the identity of someone entering or leaving the country is an unacceptable risk. US authorities hope that the new rule on departure procedures will help strengthen national security, which has been a focus in the US since the events of September 11, 2001.
According to Lenta.ru, currently fingerprints are taken from tourists only upon entering the country. The proposal to collect biometric data from people leaving the US has already found critics among some airlines, which believe that the government should bear all costs.