President, DHS, and TSA Take Action on Various Immigration- and Travel Related Issues
In August 2004, President Bush, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) took actions regarding a number of immigration- and travel-related issues, highlights of which include:
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Extension of the Deadline for Biometric Passport Requirements Enacted
On August 9, 2004, President Bush signed into law H.R. 4417 (Public Law (P.L.) 108-299), which amended the Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act of 2002 to extend by one year the deadline for:
installing at all U.S. ports of entry equipment and software capable of processing machine-readable, tamper-resistant entry and exit documents and passports that contain biometric identifiers;
Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries to certify that they are issuing machine-readable, tamper-resistant passports that contain biometric and document authentication identifiers comporting with specified standards; and
VWP participants who are issued passports on or after the new deadline to present passports that comply with such requirements.
(See ITT's Online Archives or 05/17/02 news, 02051725, for BP summary on the enactment of the Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act of 2002.)
H.R. 4417, as enacted, available at http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=108_cong_bills&docid=f:h4417enr.txt.pdf.
DHS Revises List of Ports Participating in its US-VISIT Entry and Exit Pilot
On August 3, 2004, August 20, 2004, and August 26, 2004, DHS issued notices (including one correction) regarding the expansion of its U.S. Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology Program (US-VISIT) entry-exit pilot program which, among other things, revise the list of ports of entry participating in the pilot for the collection of information at the time of alien arrival or departure. (See ITT's Online Archives or 01/09/04 news, 04010925, for BP summary of DHS' January 2004 list of participating ports.)
DHS notices and correction (FR Pub 08/03/04, 08/20/04, and 08/26/04) available at
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-17792.pdf,
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-19240.pdf, and
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-19553.pdf.
DHS Extends Admission Time Limit for Certain Mexican Nationals
On August 13, 2004, DHS issued an interim rule, effective August 13, 2004, which amends its regulations to allow certain Mexican nationals holding Visa and Border Crossing Cards (BCCs) to remain in the U.S. for up to 30 days without being issued a Form I-94. DHS notes that this interim rule does not alter the geographic limitations. According to DHS, this interim rule is intended to promote commerce along the border while ensuring sufficient safeguards are in place to prevent illegal entry into the U.S. Written comments on this interim rule are due by October 12, 2004.
DHS interim rule (FR Pub 08/13/04) available at
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-18651.pdf.
TSA Expands Explosives Trace Detection Testing at Airport Passengers
TSA has announced that it has begun an operational test and evaluation of an explosives trace detection portal at the passenger security checkpoint at Tampa International Airport. According to TSA, machines will also be introduced in August 2004 to air travelers at Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport. (TSA states that it began testing at T.F. Green State Airport, Providence, RI and Greater Rochester (NY) International Airport in June 2004 and at San Diego International Airport in July 2004.)
TSA press release available at http://www.tsa.gov/public/display?theme=44&content=09000519800bed35.
TSA Makes List of Passenger Wait Times Available
TSA has also issued a press release announcing that, as a customer service initiative, it is providing airport-by-airport wait times at passenger security checkpoints. According to TSA, wait times are available on its Web site, under "Travel Tips," at: http://www.tsa.gov/public/display?theme=183&content=09000519800c0909.
TSA press release (dated 08/10/04) available at www.tsa.gov/public/display?theme=44&content=09000519800c10b6.