Plan to Fingerprint Foreigners Exiting U.S. Is Opposed

[babylonsister]

Plan to Fingerprint Foreigners Exiting U.S. Is Opposed

By Spencer S. Hsu
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, June 22, 2008; Page A08


The airline industry and embassies of 34 countries, including the members of the European Union, are urging the U.S. government to withdraw a plan that would require airlines and cruise lines to collect digital fingerprints of all foreigners before they depart the United States, starting in August 2009.

Their opposition could trigger a battle with Congress and the Bush administration, which want the new plan established quickly.

Airlines said the change would cost the industry $12.3 billion over 10 years, not $3.5 billion as the Department of Homeland Security estimated in unveiling the proposal in April. Representatives of the nations affected said it is the duty of the U.S. government, not private companies, to enforce immigration and border security laws, and they raised privacy concerns about companies collecting fingerprints.

"This proposal to outsource the core government function of border control at a time that airlines around the world are fighting for their economic survival is both unwarranted and counterproductive," said Giovanni Bisignani, director general and chief executive of the International Air Transport Association.

more...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/21/AR2008062101466.html

[Smear Talk Express]

1. Honestly?

I would refuse to travel to your country if I were subject to that...And considering that I live a mile or so away...

[hlthe2b]

2. Frankly, I don't know why any foreigner would want to travel here

Hell. I live here and hate traveling (by air) even within the country. The thought of trying to fly overseas--even for a US citizen is not a pleasant one, given the irrational, intimidating and unpleasant measures taken in the name of "homeland security."

[babylonsister]

3. This is flipping stupid; this country can't 'manage' the lists they have,

I don't see how they'd 'manage' this. And why? And who'd pay for it? Sounds like another b.s. plan hatched by this inept admin.