UK: chaos to be expected from new electronic passport checks?

The e-borders programme, which is due to be fully in force by 2014, is aimed at tackling terrorism, crime and illegal immigration and allows passenger details to be checked against watch lists. However, travel operators from the rail, shipping and travel industries told MPs that the Home Office had not consulted them properly and warned that the system could lead to unacceptable delays: Travellers could face chaos during this year's school holidays if airlines are forced to implement new electronic passport checks.

The government said the e-borders scheme was already a proven success.

But travel operators warned it could breach EU laws on data collection. And they said the flagship £750m programme to collect electronic records of everyone who enters and leaves the UK will also miss Home Office deadlines.

Source: BBCNews; find article here>>.

DHS Announces Pre-Travel Authorization for U.S.-Bound Travelers -Visa Waiver

Washington – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced today the Interim Final Rule for the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), a new online system that is part of the Visa Waiver Program and is required by the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007.
“Rather than relying on paper-based procedures, this system will leverage 21st century electronic means to obtain basic information about who is traveling to the U.S. without a visa,” said Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. “Getting this information in advance enables our frontline personnel to determine whether a visa-free traveler presents a threat, before boarding an aircraft or arriving on our shores. It is a relatively simple and effective way to strengthen our security, and that of international travelers, while helping to preserve an important program for key allies.”
Once ESTA is mandatory, all nationals or citizens of visa waiver countries who plan to travel to the United States for temporary business or pleasure under the VWP will need to receive an electronic travel authorization prior to boarding a U.S.-bound airplane or cruise ship. The requirement will go into effect next year and does not affect U.S. citizens traveling overseas.

Source: DHS Newsroom; full text here>>.

"Enlargement of the Schengen area to be completed: border controls to be lifted at airports on 30 March"

As stated today by the EU Press Room, "On 21 December 2007, Estonia, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Hungary, Latvia, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia became part of the Schengen area. On Sunday 30 March 2008 at 0:00, the enlargement process will be completed by lifting air border controls between these countries and with the 15 states that were already part of the Schengen system.
Vice-President of the European Commission, Jacques Barrot declared: 'The dismantling of air border controls is the final step toward completion of a unique and historical achievement: 24 countries of the EU have no internal borders. The Commission pays tribute to those Member States that have put in place state of the art security systems and special 'Schengen terminals' at their airports. The enlargement of the Schengen area demonstrates the EU's commitment to facilitating legitimate travelling within and into the EU whilst at the same time improving the security of Europe's external borders'."

This Press Release is available in full text.

USA: Bush administration under pressure over travel rule

The public and various US lawmakers are clamoring for changes to the Bush administration's controversial Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). This comes as news of the United States Department of Homeland Security recently implemented some changes to the travel rule because of a huge backlog in passport applications.
Last week, the Senate Appropriations Committee and the full House unanimously voted to delay implementation of WHTI anytime before June 2009. The full Senate must now vote and is expected to consider the rule's delay in coming weeks.
This action comes after the Bush administration announced earlier this month it will delay the air requirements of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative due to extensive delays in processing passport applications. US citizens are now allowed to travel by air with a government issued photo identification and Department of State official proof of application for a passport now through Sept. 30, 2007.
Meanwhile, the National Tour Association (NTA) has said it believes the requirements of the WHTI should not take effect until June 2009 at the earliest, as supported by legislation currently in Congress.

Source: eTurboNews; full article available here.

Improvements to US travel rule sought

The National Tour Association (NTA) is urging its U.S. members and travel industry professionals to contact their U.S. senators about co-sponsoring the Western Hemisphere Traveler Improvement Act. Introduced by Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minnesota, and Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, the legislation aims to lessen the burden of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, which could take effect for land and sea as early as January 2008.
The legislation requires that low-cost passport alternatives are available when WHTI takes effect and would allow children under the age of 16 traveling with parents, and children under 18 traveling in a school or other group, to cross the border with a birth certificate rather than a passport. It also requires sufficient staffing to meet increasing passport demand, an analysis of a pilot program that explores enhanced driver's licenses as documentation for cross-border travel and a full cost-benefit analysis of WHTI.

Read the full article here.

USA: New 'e-passports'

A new generation of United States passports, equipped with short-range radio tags, are beiing distributed . More than 15 million Americans are expected to apply for and receive the high-tech document in the next year. Within a decade, every US passport will contain an RFID (radio frequency identification) chip.
Privacy advocates are raising concerns that the passports make Americans more vulnerable to attacks from thieves and terrorists.
For details look here.

Visitors Delayed

According to documents recently released, some visitors to the U.S. were delayed by immigration officers because the fingerprints in their passports were mismatched or smudged. However, Homeland Security Department pointed out that only a tiny fraction of visitors was affected by such problems.

(Originally posted by Michael Wukoschitz)

Machine-readable passport required

From 26. June 2005 all foreign travellers to USA who don't need visa must produce machine-readable passports, otherwise they may be rejected by immigration officers.

(Originally posted by Michael Wukoschitz)

Lufthansa: New Check-In Machines

By the end of March 2005 Lufthansa will indroduce new check-in machines which will allow to scan passengers' passports. Due to legal obligations the Airline has to collect passengers' passport data for each flight to USA, Canada, Korea or Mexico. Up to now these data have beeen collected manually. The new machines will be a further step towards self-service by passengers.

(Originally posted by Michael Wukoschitz)

Book on U.S. passport law

My book, Krueger on United States Passport Law (2nd ed. 1997 & supps. 1999-2004), is available. Stephen Krueger dailidvpalau@yahoo.com.tw

(Originally posted by Stephen Krueger)