US Fingerprinting Australians

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HardieBoys

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Excerpted from the Sydney Morning Herald website, Saturday 3rd April:

"Australia is to seek clarification from the United States over reports that it will now require all visiting Australians to be photographed and fingerprinted.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Foreign Affairs said Australia travel advisories had warned that this could happen.

"We will be seeking clarification on those arrangements. If there is any change to what we have in our travel advice, then we will update that accordingly," she said.

"These sort of entry and visa requirements are the prerogative of the host government. We tell people travelling, whether it's to the US or elsewhere, to check with the local embassy or consulate for visa and entry arrangements."

Reports from the US indicate it is expanding its requirements for photographing and fingerprinting of visitors to include even those from close allies.

The move affects citizens in 27 countries - including Australia, New Zealand, Britain and Japan - who had been allowed to travel within the United States without a visa for up to 90 days.

Under changes that will take effect by September 30, they will be fingerprinted and photographed when they enter through any of 115 international airports and 14 seaports."
 
It was bound to happen as it closes up some loop holes in the current regulations. From observations I really don't see that it will delay anybody very much as the time required is almost identical to no photo / fingerprint.

Employing a few more on the immigration booths would probably help a whole lot though.
 
This is obviously an extension of the protocols put into place for arriving pax into USA post 9 January 2004...great, now I hope it doesn't slow things down too much. - "face the camera...stand still... smile..thank you for entering USA and have a good day", plus purple fingers for a day....
 
Lindsay, they don't use ink any more - I was fingerprinted a few weeks back when applying for a shooters license, (Scott will be proud of me! :D ) and it is all down using a special scanning machine now, much like the sort of scanner you have on your computer. Taking a scan of a finger will take all of 10 seconds.

I still think it is an over-reaction though, designed more to stem their illegal immigrant problem rather than enhancing security, but that it another matter.

Dave
 
thadocta, now I'm not sure about shillard, but I know ozstamps will crack a smile :)

I left USA on 7 January before all this came into place. Now I'm glad that I'm not going back for a while...
 
Quote from my colleagues about all of this....

"That's really nice - WE'RE YOU'RE ALLIES, you dumb %&^@ (plural)"

I agree with Straitman though - put some more people on the LAX immigration booths so that it doesn't take an hour and a half to get through after the flight lands there at 7am from MEL.

(this length of time has happened to me before)
 
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