US Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Asa Hutchinson announced the launch of the US-Visit immigration program aimed at strengthening control over foreigners arriving in America. “We want to strengthen the security and reliability of our immigration system,” he stressed at a press conference in Washington. The new measures will also apply to US seaports and will affect about 26 million people each year.
Starting January 5, guests arriving in the country will have to not only answer questions from customs inspectors about the purpose and duration of their stay, but also provide a fingerprint of their index finger and be photographed. This data will go into an electronic database for comparison with data obtained at US consulates abroad when issuing entry visas, where fingerprints will also be taken.
The same procedure awaits guests when leaving the US. This measure will not apply to tourists from 27 countries whose citizens have the right to visa-free entry.