Airlines will be required to collect biometric data from travellers exiting the US under new proposals from the Department of Homeland Security.
Holidaymakers who have previously had their fingers scanned on arrival will effectively be asked to ‘check out’ of the country when they check in for their flight home.
Robert Mocny, director of the US-Visit programme, admitted the move would be “unpopular” with carriers, which may feel they are taking on the work of US immigration staff.
It comes after an abortive trial of self check-out kiosks, where travellers scanned their own fingers, at 14 major US airports. The trial ended in May amid complaints the machines were too difficult to use.
“Airlines don’t want to take on extra costs but we will expect them to collect this information for us. It’s a fact that 40% of illegal immigrants living in the US arrived through the visa-waiver programme, so we have to ensure people leave as expected,” said Mocny.
“We expect airlines to come up with reasons why they don’t want to take part, but there has been no universal refusal from the industry. If it is mandated by the government it will happen.”
The US has been collecting finger scans from nationals included in its visa-waiver programme on arrival as part of its ongoing tightening of border security. Travellers who require a visa have to give their biometric data before travelling.
Although passengers currently have two fingerprints scanned, new machines scanning all 10 fingers will be rolled out to all US ports and airports by December next year. Dulles Airport in Washington DC will be the first to get the technology later this month.
“Biometrics for border control is here to stay,” said Mocny. “In the future people should expect to see a registered visitors’ programme so you can fly around the world and not have to queue for border checks anywhere.”