Biometric check on U.S. visitors drawing criticism.

• Author: Kennedy, Harold
• Position: SURVEILLANCE

A CONTROVERSIAL EFFORT by the Department of Homeland security to create a biometric computer system to keep tabs on all foreigners entering and leaving the country is drawing increasing flak at home and abroad.

US-VISIT, which began in 2004, requires foreigners entering the United States--even those from friendly nations--to have their photos taken, provide travel itineraries and give their fingerprints. This information then is crosschecked with a host of federal and state agencies to ascertain whether the person trying to enter the country requires further investigation.

The program has angered some visitors and their home governments, who complain that it unnecessarily complicates foreigners' travel plans and constitutes an unwarranted invasion of privacy.

Some members of Congress worried that tighter border security might be tough on U.S. residents returning to this country. "I caution DHS against enacting burdensome requirements that will adversely affect Western New York families and businesses," warned Rep. Thomas Reynolds, R-N.Y.

DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff, however, dismissed such concerns. In April, he told the World Travel and Tourism Summit, meeting in Washington, D.C., that US-VISIT was making a solid contribution to homeland security and is worth the trouble.

"Since 2004, we have processed more than 52 million travelers, and have intercepted more than 1,000 individuals with prior immigration violations and others suspected of murder, rape, drug trafficking and other violent crimes," he said. "And we...