|
|
| Subject: U.S. tightens screening of Canadians with visas |
Anybody know? Does this apply only to Canadians PRs with non-visa waiver passports to U.S.?
http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2007/11/21/fingerprints-border.html
[21-11-2007,17:26]
[**.47.168.9]
Richard |
(in reply to: U.S. tightens screening of Canadians with visas)
Very Confusing.
First of all, Canadians do not need any Visa. May need permits (work, study..).
So far they also don´t need to be finger printed before entering.
Did US start finger printing the Canadians? I doubt.
[21-11-2007,17:48]
[***.254.208.242]
Departed_Canadian |
(in reply to: U.S. tightens screening of Canadians with visas)
I think it is going to apply to everyone.
[21-11-2007,17:49]
[***.121.220.199]
Sharon |
(in reply to: U.S. tightens screening of Canadians with visas)
this explains it better...
WASHINGTON - U.S. officials will start taking 10 fingerprints from Canadians entering the country on visas when they start expanding a four-year security program this month.
Under US-VISIT, Canadians on visas have been required to scan their two index fingers and have a digital photograph taken.
The biometrics are used to identify people by linking them to their visas or passports.
Now, all fingers will be scanned, starting next Thursday at Washington Dulles International Airport and nine other major airports in early 2008.
So far, Canadians who need a visa to work in the United States have to go through the process, plus Canadian fiances of U.S. citizens. The program currently affects up to 10,000 people. Eventually, students, nurses and others may be included.
The database of biometrics holds some 90 million fingerprints, Robert Mocny, director of the program at the Homeland Security Department, told a briefing.
"As the database grows . . . the system needs more information to differentiate individuals," said Mocny, and there will be fewer false matches.
"And by capturing all 10 fingers, we´ll be able to identify more individuals who are trying to sneak into the country."
The new rules are supposed to go into effect at all 311 ports of entry, including air, land and sea, by the end of next year.
The program, combined with a rule requiring passports or other secure documents containing proof of citizenship, will eventually reduce wait times for visitors, said Paul Morris at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency.
"We will simply have a better idea of who´s in front of us and be able to more quickly process them," said Morris.
The 10-fingerprint scanners will appear first in Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Atlanta, Houston, Miami, New York, Orlando and San Francisco.
Eventually, Toronto will have one to pre-screen Canadian visa holders entering the United States.
[21-11-2007,17:56]
[***.121.220.199]
Sharon |
(in reply to: U.S. tightens screening of Canadians with visas)
WASHINGTON -- The Bush administration said yesterday it will install 10-fingerprint scanners at all Canada-U.S. border crossings -- including pre-clearance facilities at Canadian airports -- by the end of 2008.
Officials with the Department of Homeland Security said they were confident the new devices would not cause increased delays for travellers at the border, noting that most Canadians are exempt from being fingerprinted.
Paul Morris, who runs Homeland Security´s admissibility programs, said "very few Canadians" will be affected by the changes.
The US-VISIT program, launched in 2004, requires border agents to take digital fingerprints and photographs of visa-holding foreigners entering the U.S. That includes thousands of Canadians who hold NAFTA visas and Canadians engaged to be married to Americans. The U.S. has previously announced Canadian students and nurses working in the country will also be subject to US-VISIT fingerprinting.
"So there are additional Canadians that will be going through US- VISIT," said Robert Mocny, director of the program. But "there are lots of Canadians that don´t have to."
When US-VISIT was first launched, the U.S. collected only two fingerprints -- of a traveller´s left and right index fingers. Officials said that process left security gaps.
[21-11-2007,18:00]
[***.121.220.199]
Sharon |
(in reply to: U.S. tightens screening of Canadians with visas)
Still the same confusion remains.
So far looks like it is for the Canadian PRs who need US visa. Not for the citizens.
As it says, "Under US-VISIT, Canadians on visas have been required to scan their two index fingers and have a digital photograph taken. "
I work in the US and was never finger printed or photographed.
[21-11-2007,18:01]
[***.254.208.242]
Departed_Canadian |
(in reply to: U.S. tightens screening of Canadians with visas)
read it again. This is not a VISITING issue. This is a work, study, marriage issue.
if you are coming in to work in the US or marry a US citizen, the previous finger print requirements for the Visa used to be 2 fingers. it is now 10 fingers.
Citizen, PR... does not matter. Same rules.
[21-11-2007,18:29]
[***.121.220.199]
Sharon |
(in reply to: U.S. tightens screening of Canadians with visas)
That the thing caught my attention; I was never ever finger printed, 2 fingers or 1..no finger at all. Never heard of any Canadians passing fintger printing. If it were in practice before then at least I would have experienced.
Were you finger printed ever? Don´t think so.
My wife has to be finger printed by 2 fingers.
That tells me that from now one she´ll be printed for all of her 10 fingers, not 2 anymore.
[21-11-2007,18:41]
[***.254.208.242]
Departed_Canadian |
(in reply to: U.S. tightens screening of Canadians with visas)
O ho, My wife is not Caandian Citizen, is a PR and needs US visa to enter into the USA.
[21-11-2007,18:42]
[***.254.208.242]
Departed_Canadian |
(in reply to: U.S. tightens screening of Canadians with visas)
Still confusing as DC said. I doubt very much Canadian citizens need to have their fingerprints scanned when visiting the U.S. If so, it would be retroactive for Americans entering Canada as well.
It´s got to be for Canadian PRs who have passports from countries requiring U.S. visa. Unlike Canada, the U.S. does not accept the Canadian PR card for visiting purposes. Therefore, passport verification is always the basis. This seems to fit the strict entry requirements the U.S. is implementing over time.
[21-11-2007,18:44]
[**.47.168.9]
Richard |
(in reply to: U.S. tightens screening of Canadians with visas)
My wife doesn´t know lot about PR/Citizenship issues. Last year we had a heated argument over a silly point. One of her freind claimed that they got the ´Canadian Citizenship". Whereas in reality they just got the PR. Her friend interpreted Citizenship/PR as the same and convinced my wife also.
I think same thing happened here too.
I checked US Homeland Security sites, US embassy sites. No new rule for the Canadians.
I don´t think US can do it very easily. That´ll make the border passing way lenghty...many other practical problems..
[21-11-2007,18:52]
[***.254.208.242]
Departed_Canadian |
|
