USA Fingerprint scanners

[taylory2j]

Hey Folks

Im off to the USA in January and have read that as you enter the US,you get fingerprint scanned and have your photo taken.I was wondering why do they do this??,i mean i suspect its for terrorism but still how does that help prevent it.?? and how would the US have terrorist photos and fingerprints to compare on their airport fingerprint scanning system.Also what are the delays like when your waiting for all this to be done.

[BBWCHATT]

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Search/default. asp?SearchText=fingerprint&searchType=site&x=2 3&y=9

[jno]

it's a general security measure - I don't know how it works since I doubt they have bin Laden's fingerprints on file. It slows the immigration queues down a bit, maybe a minute per person. Just your forefingers and peering at a little camera.

[taylory2j]

So has anybody got any helpful answers???

[kempie]

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=%22US-VISIT%2 2

[taylory2j]

Cheers Kempie,something else has made me curious.I read this on one of those sites

'In many cases, US-VISIT begins overseas, at the U.S. consular offices issuing visas, where visitors� biometrics (digital fingerscans and photographs) are collected and checked against a database of known criminals and suspected terrorists. When the visitor arrives at the port of entry, we use the same biometrics � digital fingerscans � to verify the person at our port is the same person who received the visa.'

How do the consular officers collect these biometrics???,Ive never been to America,so how would they have my photo or fingerscans ,so they can check against their database??

[JonnoGenie]

'So has anybody got any helpful answers??? '


No, but you're clearly guilty, and if we can spot it immigration are going to spot is a mile off.

Have fun in county jail, before they deport you. Big Pedro says he's looking forward to seeing you ,hehe.

[taylory2j]

I haven't even got a criminal record you Jackass.

This is the answerbank,ive been asking questions that im curious about.Im someone who likes to know how things work and why we do these things.I think its my human right to know why airports are scanning my fingerprints and taking photos.Geez you cant join a website or forum these days without some prat making arsey comments.

[JonnoGenie]

Don't go to the States. They don't want your sort.

(Funny the amount of British criminals who roll up here, asking if they can break the law again and lie to enter the States. Have none of them figured that this board is probably monitored by the Feds?!)

[VillageVicar]

taylory2j: The simple answer is that they don�t. The US is now compiling details about visitors to their country. In the past, despite the visa programme, there were too many holes in the security process. All that is happening now is that these accumulated details permits them to more easily identify �known� criminals or those whom they may wish to be monitoring.

Our MI6 and their Homeland Security exchange �some� information, as do other countries in monitoring individuals with whom they all share interest. Fingerprints that may have been collected in , say, the Middle East, where there was the presumption of nefarious activities, could now be flagged when the individual arrives in the states. Additionally, the fingerprint process permits them to associate name details against further identifiers.

The process is as fast as making a photocopy. Therefore, you needn�t worry about delays in processing.

Have a great trip, wherever it may be in the states you�re headed.

Fr Bill

[dzug]

<<How do the consular officers collect these biometrics???,Ive never been to America,so how would they have my photo or fingerscans ,so they can check against their database?? >>

They colllect them when you apply for a visa.

In the case of UK citizens who by and large don't need a visa they are collected on arrival.

[lady_p_gold]

Plus the fact that when you go there a lot as I do, they make sure you are the same person and also they ask why you are coming back again so soon as it shows when you last came through. It also takes bloody ages so say goodbye to another hour !

[chitchat]

I have transited through LA 3 times and each time I have had my fingerprints and eye scanned. Never got out of the transit lounge! The last time in June we had to wait ages for the staff to come and check everyone off the 747. We were all p*****d off - after a 11 hour flight hanging around waiting was no fun.

[megan07]

Hi taylory, i was in the usa last year and i was fingerprinted and had my photo taken, it took about 10 mins.
My partner could not come with me, as he was refused a visa, he has 2 offences, both times driving with no insurance, he was refused visa because he could not provide sufficient evidence of very strong ties to are home the UK.
We have been asked back over to the usa, my partner will not risk going with out a visa as we think the usa embassy in london will inform the usa of all visa refusals, we will be seeking advice from, Gudeon and Mcfadden, us immigration and nationality lawyers.
So the Moral of my post is respect the usa law.
Best wishes megan. x

[VillageVicar]

megan07: You are correct. If you have previously been refused a visa, it is now a permanent data record with US immigration. Additionally, there is a surreptitious mark on your passport, to make reference to your denials. You may be able to still get a visa, with great difficulty, provided that, in the first instance, you did not misrepresent the truth on the original applications.

I wish you every success

Fr Bill

[megan07]

Thank you , Fr Bill, we can only but try again, my partner is a lovely person and it is just so frustrating.
Best wishes, love megan. xxxxx

[JonnoGenie]

When you go through immigration, the USC&BP officer tapping away at his computer has 'IBIS' in front of him.

This is all your records for US entry, fingerprints, your photo, any US criminal records, tax records, visa applications, any serious international criminal records etc etc.

When they start digging away at your records in IBIS it is quite surprising some of the querstions that they can ask you. I hate to think what else in in there.