WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge announced that the United States would begin deploying enhanced technology to expedite security checks and immigration processing of pre-screened, international travelers through John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City.
According to a news release, Secretary Ridge and Dutch Minister of Immigration and Integration Rita Verdonk announced that their agencies will work together to develop an international registered traveler program.
"These efforts demonstrate again that we can design border security initiatives to both enhance homeland security and facilitate global commerce and travel," Secretary Ridge said. "In particular, a U.S. - Dutch pilot will bring the extensive experience the Dutch government has had with expedited travel security initiatives together with U.S. efforts, paving the way toward a truly international registered traveler program that enhances security for all travelers."
Secretary Ridge pointed out that "the success of the US-VISIT program, particularly in deploying biometrics technologies and processes has given us the confidence to move forward with voluntary expedited travel programs using biometrics."
U. S. citizens, U.S. legal permanent residents and foreign visitors who travel frequently to the United States will be eligible for the program, contingent upon admissibility to the United States and the completion of a background check.
Participants will use dedicated kiosks when they arrive at JFK Airport. They will enter the United States without routine Customs and Border Protection (CBP) questioning, unless chosen for a selective or random secondary referral. They must present their machine-readable passport, submit their fingerprints for biometric verification, be photographed, and make a declaration at the kiosk. Once cleared at the kiosk, pilot participants will be allowed to claim their bags and exit the airport.
Travelers who voluntarily enroll in the program must go through a pre-screening clearance, which may include checks of various biometric and biographic watch lists, including a 10-fingerprint criminal history check, a face-to-face interview with a DHS officer, and a review of any other pertinent information.
The improvements at JFK will be deployed in the coming weeks, while U.S. and Dutch officials commence discussions to design and implement an international pilot.
