Despite Protests, U.S. Biometric Data Plan Moving Forward

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is sticking to its proposal to require airlines to collect fingerprints at check-in from departing travelers on international flights, in spite of vehement protests from U.S. carriers that the mandate would be costly and time-consuming and create longer check-in lines, and should instead be handled by the Transportation Security Administration.

Michael Jackson, the DHS’ deputy secretary, attending the International Air Transport Association’s Annual General Meeting and World Air Transport Summit here June 5, said the department still plans to issue a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking with the requirement soon.

Mr. Jackson, who wants the process in place by 2008, did make one concession: he said the DHS is willing to provide airlines with fingerprint readers for use at the check-in counters, and help them connect it to their passport card readers. He also said the department is willing to let airlines move the process to self-service check-in kiosks equipped with fingerprint readers and passport readers.

The proposed requirement stems from a DHS effort to beef up a 3-year-old pilot program called US-VISIT, which collects biometric data from foreign visitors.

Under that program, inbound visitors at U.S. airports and other points of entry are digitally photographed and fingerprinted at special kiosks. The resulting data are later matched against DHS’ own database to verify international travelers’ identity. Digital fingerprints are also collected when the traveler exits the U.S.