USA: Biometric Passports For Visa Waiver Program Travelers

The Department of Homeland Security announced Thursday that it will require stronger security measures from countries whose citizens are allowed to travel to the United States without a visa.

The move comes amid growing concern about ISIS fighters who are European nationals.

Thirty-eight countries, mostly from Europe, participate in the Visa Waiver Program. Citizens of those countries can travel to the U.S. visa-free for periods of up to 90 days. But to be part of the program, those countries must meet U.S. standards on a variety of security protocols related to passport control, airport security and information databases.

The new measures include a requirement that visa-free travelers coming to the U.S. have electronic passports capable of employing biometric-recognition technologies such as fingerprinting. In addition, Visa Waiver Program countries must now allow more U.S. air marshals on flights into the U.S. They also will be required to use the Interpol Lost and Stolen Passport Database to screen travelers as they cross borders.

In a statement Thursday, DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson said that the members of the Visa Waiver Program would be consulted about the changes.

“The security enhancements we announce today are part of this department’s continuing assessments of our homeland security in the face of evolving threats and challenges, and our determination to stay one step ahead of those threats and challenges,” he said. “And it is our considered judgment that the security enhancements we announce today will not hinder lawful trade and travel with our partners in the Visa Waiver Program.”

The new security requirements come five months after the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security held a hearing on the Visa Waiver Program's implications for national security. The hearing was called largely in reaction to concerns about ISIS fighters from European countries.