FC: Fingerprint scanners, digital ID cards at U.S.-Mexico border

[Declan McCullagh <declan () well com>]

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http://www.nytimes.com/2003/02/07/politics/07IMMI.html

Progress Seen in Border Tests of ID System
By JENNIFER 8. LEE

NOGALES, Ariz., Feb. 6 — Immigration officials say they are moving rapidly 
to meet a congressionally mandated deadline for a sophisticated new 
identification system to be in use at its 100 most porous entry points over 
the next year.

The system will use ID cards encrypted with digital photos, signatures, 
biographical information and fingerprints that have been issued by the 
State Department and the Immigration and Naturalization Service by the 
millions over the last five years. Until recently, the immigration service 
has not had the machines to read the information on the cards — a 
shortcoming that came to light in Congressional hearings into the 2001 
terror attacks. The machines cost $8,500 each.

For two months the border agency has been testing 30 machines here and at 
two other crossing points, in Texas and California, and at three airports. 
The initial results seemed promising, officials say. For example, they say 
the machines were not fooled by people with similar appearances, catching 
150 people, including a woman using her twin sister's card. "Statistically, 
it's a very eye-opening number," said Robert Mocny, director of the 
immigration service's entry-exit program office.

[...]

But the improved identity system will be the largest program using machines 
to compare detailed measurements of features like fingerprints and facial 
structure, and would offer a new level of security for the borders, the 
officials said.

[...]




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