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A foreign traveler holding a visa to enter the U.S. has her finger scanned at San Francisco Airport (SFO) on January 5, 2004. Today, 115 airports or 14 seaports in the USA began implementing the new $380 million-program, called US-VISIT, which requires foreign visitors to submit two finger scans and have a photograph taken upon going through US customs. The data is checked against terrorist watch lists. U.S. citizens and holders of green cards, as well as individuals from 28 countries whose citizens are not required to obtain visas to travel to U.S. are exempt from the requirement.

US Airports Start Fingerprinting Foreign Visitors

U.S. authorities began fingerprinting and photographing international travelers at 115 airports and 14 seaports in an effort to stop terrorists from infiltrating the nation's borders.

The new US-Visit program will fingerprint and photograph about a quarter of travelers who enter the country by air or sea, or about 24 million people annually. The program will be expanded to the 50 busiest U.S. border entries by year's end and to all land entries by the end of 2005.

The key goal of the new system is to confirm that the person presenting the visa is the same person who applied for it at a U.S. embassy overseas.

Advocates for immigrants and civil liberties groups questioned whether the effort would be effective or fair.

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A foreign traveler holding a visa to enter the U.S. has her finger scanned at San Francisco Airport (SFO) on January 5, 2004. Today, 115 airports or 14 seaports in the USA began implementing the new $380 million-program, called US-VISIT, which requires foreign visitors to submit two finger scans and have a photograph taken upon going through US customs. The data is checked against terrorist watch lists. U.S. citizens and holders of green cards, as well as individuals from 28 countries whose citizens are not required to obtain visas to travel to U.S. are exempt from the requirement.
Title:
US Airports Start Fingerp...
Date:
January 5, 2004
Filename:
01-2186-0085
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The international terminal at San Francisco's airport (SFO) on January 5, 2004. Today, 115 airports or 14 seaports in the USA began implementing the new $380 million-program, called US-VISIT, which requires foreign visitors to submit two finger scans and have a photograph taken upon going through US customs. The data is checked against terrorist watch lists. U.S. citizens and holders of green cards, as well as individuals from 28 countries whose citizens are not required to obtain visas to travel to U.S. are exempt from the requirement.
Title:
US Airports Start Fingerp...
Date:
January 5, 2004
Filename:
02-2186-0120
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The international terminal at San Francisco's airport (SFO) on January 5, 2004. Today, 115 airports or 14 seaports in the USA began implementing the new $380 million-program, called US-VISIT, which requires foreign visitors to submit two finger scans and have a photograph taken upon going through US customs. The data is checked against terrorist watch lists. U.S. citizens and holders of green cards, as well as individuals from 28 countries whose citizens are not required to obtain visas to travel to U.S. are exempt from the requirement.
Title:
US Airports Start Fingerp...
Date:
January 5, 2004
Filename:
03-2186-0118
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A foreign traveler holding a visa to enter the U.S. going through the customs at San Francisco Airport (SFO) on January 5, 2004. Today, 115 airports or 14 seaports in the USA began implementing the new $380 million-program, called US-VISIT, which requires foreign visitors to submit two finger scans and have a photograph taken upon going through US customs. The data is checked against terrorist watch lists. U.S. citizens and holders of green cards, as well as individuals from 28 countries whose citizens are not required to obtain visas to travel to U.S. are exempt from the requirement.
Title:
US Airports Start Fingerp...
Date:
January 5, 2004
Filename:
04-2186-0105
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A foreign traveler holding a visa to enter the U.S. going through the customs at San Francisco Airport (SFO) on January 5, 2004. Today, 115 airports or 14 seaports in the USA began implementing the new $380 million-program, called US-VISIT, which requires foreign visitors to submit two finger scans and have a photograph taken upon going through US customs. The data is checked against terrorist watch lists. U.S. citizens and holders of green cards, as well as individuals from 28 countries whose citizens are not required to obtain visas to travel to U.S. are exempt from the requirement.
Title:
US Airports Start Fingerp...
Date:
January 5, 2004
Filename:
05-2186-0101
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A sign warning foreign travelers with visas going through the customs at San Francisco Airport (SFO) on January 5, 2004 that their fingers will be scanned and picture taken. Today, 115 airports or 14 seaports in the USA began implementing the new $380 million-program, called US-VISIT, which requires foreign visitors to submit two finger scans and have a photograph taken upon going through US customs. The data is checked against terrorist watch lists. U.S. citizens and holders of green cards, as well as individuals from 28 countries whose citizens are not required to obtain visas to travel to U.S. are exempt from the requirement.
Title:
US Airports Start Fingerp...
Date:
January 5, 2004
Filename:
06-2186-0090
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A foreign traveler holding a visa to enter the U.S. has her finger scanned at San Francisco Airport (SFO) on January 5, 2004. Today, 115 airports or 14 seaports in the USA began implementing the new $380 million-program, called US-VISIT, which requires foreign visitors to submit two finger scans and have a photograph taken upon going through US customs. The data is checked against terrorist watch lists. U.S. citizens and holders of green cards, as well as individuals from 28 countries whose citizens are not required to obtain visas to travel to U.S. are exempt from the requirement.
Title:
US Airports Start Fingerp...
Date:
January 5, 2004
Filename:
07-2186-0086
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A foreign traveler holding a visa to enter the U.S. has his picture taken at San Francisco Airport (SFO) on January 5, 2004. Today, 115 airports or 14 seaports in the USA began implementing the new $380 million-program, called US-VISIT, which requires foreign visitors to submit two finger scans and have a photograph taken upon going through US customs. The data is checked against terrorist watch lists. U.S. citizens and holders of green cards, as well as individuals from 28 countries whose citizens are not required to obtain visas to travel to U.S. are exempt from the requirement.
Title:
US Airports Start Fingerp...
Date:
January 5, 2004
Filename:
08-2186-0071
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A foreign traveler holding a visa to enter the U.S. has his finger scanned at San Francisco Airport (SFO) on January 5, 2004. Today, 115 airports or 14 seaports in the USA began implementing the new $380 million-program, called US-VISIT, which requires foreign visitors to submit two finger scans and have a photograph taken upon going through US customs. The data is checked against terrorist watch lists. U.S. citizens and holders of green cards, as well as individuals from 28 countries whose citizens are not required to obtain visas to travel to U.S. are exempt from the requirement.
Title:
US Airports Start Fingerp...
Date:
January 5, 2004
Filename:
09-2186-0066
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A foreign traveler holding a visa to enter the U.S. has his picture taken at San Francisco Airport (SFO) on January 5, 2004. Today, 115 airports or 14 seaports in the USA began implementing the new $380 million-program, called US-VISIT, which requires foreign visitors to submit two finger scans and have a photograph taken upon going through US customs. The data is checked against terrorist watch lists. U.S. citizens and holders of green cards, as well as individuals from 28 countries whose citizens are not required to obtain visas to travel to U.S. are exempt from the requirement.
Title:
US Airports Start Fingerp...
Date:
January 5, 2004
Filename:
10-2186-0062
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A foreign traveler holding a visa to enter the U.S. has his picture taken at San Francisco Airport (SFO) on January 5, 2004. Today, 115 airports or 14 seaports in the USA began implementing the new $380 million-program, called US-VISIT, which requires foreign visitors to submit two finger scans and have a photograph taken upon going through US customs. The data is checked against terrorist watch lists. U.S. citizens and holders of green cards, as well as individuals from 28 countries whose citizens are not required to obtain visas to travel to U.S. are exempt from the requirement.
Title:
US Airports Start Fingerp...
Date:
January 5, 2004
Filename:
11-2186-0056
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A foreign traveler holding a visa to enter the U.S. after having his fingers scanned and picture taken at San Francisco Airport (SFO) on January 5, 2004. Today, 115 airports or 14 seaports in the USA began implementing the new $380 million-program, called US-VISIT, which requires foreign visitors to submit two finger scans and have a photograph taken upon going through US customs. The data is checked against terrorist watch lists. U.S. citizens and holders of green cards, as well as individuals from 28 countries whose citizens are not required to obtain visas to travel to U.S. are exempt from the requirement.
Title:
US Airports Start Fingerp...
Date:
January 5, 2004
Filename:
12-2186-0048
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A foreign traveler holding a visa to enter the U.S. has his picture taken at San Francisco Airport (SFO) on January 5, 2004. Today, 115 airports or 14 seaports in the USA began implementing the new $380 million-program, called US-VISIT, which requires foreign visitors to submit two finger scans and have a photograph taken upon going through US customs. The data is checked against terrorist watch lists. U.S. citizens and holders of green cards, as well as individuals from 28 countries whose citizens are not required to obtain visas to travel to U.S. are exempt from the requirement.
Title:
US Airports Start Fingerp...
Date:
January 5, 2004
Filename:
13-2186-0046
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A camera used to take photographs of foreign travelers going through the customs at San Francisco Airport (SFO) on January 5, 2004. Today, 115 airports or 14 seaports in the USA began implementing the new $380 million-program, called US-VISIT, which requires foreign visitors to submit two finger scans and have a photograph taken upon going through US customs. The data is checked against terrorist watch lists. U.S. citizens and holders of green cards, as well as individuals from 28 countries whose citizens are not required to obtain visas to travel to U.S. are exempt from the requirement.
Title:
US Airports Start Fingerp...
Date:
January 5, 2004
Filename:
14-2186-0035
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A foreign traveler holding a visa to enter the U.S. has her picture taken at San Francisco Airport (SFO) on January 5, 2004. Today, 115 airports or 14 seaports in the USA began implementing the new $380 million-program, called US-VISIT, which requires foreign visitors to submit two finger scans and have a photograph taken upon going through US customs. The data is checked against terrorist watch lists. U.S. citizens and holders of green cards, as well as individuals from 28 countries whose citizens are not required to obtain visas to travel to U.S. are exempt from the requirement.
Title:
US Airports Start Fingerp...
Date:
January 5, 2004
Filename:
15-2186-0031
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A foreign traveler holding a visa to enter the U.S. has her picture taken at San Francisco Airport (SFO) on January 5, 2004. Today, 115 airports or 14 seaports in the USA began implementing the new $380 million-program, called US-VISIT, which requires foreign visitors to submit two finger scans and have a photograph taken upon going through US customs. The data is checked against terrorist watch lists. U.S. citizens and holders of green cards, as well as individuals from 28 countries whose citizens are not required to obtain visas to travel to U.S. are exempt from the requirement.
Title:
US Airports Start Fingerp...
Date:
January 5, 2004
Filename:
16-2186-0026
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A foreign traveler holding a visa to enter the U.S. has her finger scanned at San Francisco Airport (SFO) on January 5, 2004. Today, 115 airports or 14 seaports in the USA began implementing the new $380 million-program, called US-VISIT, which requires foreign visitors to submit two finger scans and have a photograph taken upon going through US customs. The data is checked against terrorist watch lists. U.S. citizens and holders of green cards, as well as individuals from 28 countries whose citizens are not required to obtain visas to travel to U.S. are exempt from the requirement.
Title:
US Airports Start Fingerp...
Date:
January 5, 2004
Filename:
17-2186-0025
Actions:
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A foreign traveler holding a visa to enter the U.S. has her picture taken at San Francisco Airport (SFO) on January 5, 2004. Today, 115 airports or 14 seaports in the USA began implementing the new $380 million-program, called US-VISIT, which requires foreign visitors to submit two finger scans and have a photograph taken upon going through US customs. The data is checked against terrorist watch lists. U.S. citizens and holders of green cards, as well as individuals from 28 countries whose citizens are not required to obtain visas to travel to U.S. are exempt from the requirement.
Title:
US Airports Start Fingerp...
Date:
January 5, 2004
Filename:
18-2186-0030
Actions:
Simple slideshow
 
 
A foreign traveler holding a visa to enter the U.S. has his picture taken at San Francisco Airport (SFO) on January 5, 2004. Today, 115 airports or 14 seaports in the USA began implementing the new $380 million-program, called US-VISIT, which requires foreign visitors to submit two finger scans and have a photograph taken upon going through US customs. The data is checked against terrorist watch lists. U.S. citizens and holders of green cards, as well as individuals from 28 countries whose citizens are not required to obtain visas to travel to U.S. are exempt from the requirement.
Title:
US Airports Start Fingerp...
Date:
January 5, 2004
Filename:
19-2186-0055
Actions:
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A foreign traveler holding a visa to enter the U.S. has his finger scanned at San Francisco Airport (SFO) on January 5, 2004. Today, 115 airports or 14 seaports in the USA began implementing the new $380 million-program, called US-VISIT, which requires foreign visitors to submit two finger scans and have a photograph taken upon going through US customs. The data is checked against terrorist watch lists. U.S. citizens and holders of green cards, as well as individuals from 28 countries whose citizens are not required to obtain visas to travel to U.S. are exempt from the requirement.
Title:
US Airports Start Fingerp...
Date:
January 5, 2004
Filename:
20-2186-0006
Actions:
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A camera used to take photographs of foreign travelers going through the customs at San Francisco Airport (SFO) on January 5, 2004. Today, 115 airports or 14 seaports in the USA began implementing the new $380 million-program, called US-VISIT, which requires foreign visitors to submit two finger scans and have a photograph taken upon going through US customs. The data is checked against terrorist watch lists. U.S. citizens and holders of green cards, as well as individuals from 28 countries whose citizens are not required to obtain visas to travel to U.S. are exempt from the requirement.
Title:
US Airports Start Fingerp...
Date:
January 5, 2004
Filename:
21-2186-0111
Actions:
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