U.S. VISIT to try RFID

U.S. VISIT to try RFID    The Department of Homeland Security will begin testing the feasibility this summer of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to enhance the U.S. VISIT program for tracking the entry and departure of immigrants.
   The main feature of U.S. VISIT is the use of biometric technology. Fingerprint scans and digital photographs of visa applicants are taken at U.S. embassies and consulates and automatically matched against the same data captured at air, sea and land ports to make sure the same person who applied for the visa is attempting to enter the country.
   DHS said it will use RFID at land border crossings as a way to automate recording and matching entries and exits without slowing down processing time. A visitor tag will have embedded information about the person that can be transmitted to a nearby reader when activated and populate the computer screen of customs officers making admissibility decisions.
   The “proof of concept” phase will take place at the ports of Nogales, Ariz.; Alexandria Bay, N.Y.; and Pacific Highway and Peace Arch in Washington.