DHS to Test RFID Technology at 5 Land Border Ports Under US-VISIT
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a notice announcing its plans to test radio frequency identification (RFID) technology at five land border ports under the U.S. Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology Program (US-VISIT) beginning on or around August 4, 2005.
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DHS states that this testing will last for approximately one year and is to determine if RFID technology can improve the efficiency of processing individuals who seek to enter or exit the U.S. at a land border port-of-entry.
DHS to Issue RFID Embedded Forms I-94 or I-94W at Five Land Border Ports
DHS states that it will begin issuing RFID-embedded Forms I-94, (white) Arrival/Departure Record, or I-94W, (green) Non-Immigrant Visa Waiver Arrival/Departure Form on or around August 4, 2005 at the following land border ports-of-entry crossing location: Pacific Highway, WA; Peace Arch, WA; Alexandria Bay, NY; Nogales East, AZ; and Mariposa-Nogales West, AZ.
According to DHS, the RFID tags that will be used are passive and will contain only the unique identification number embedded on the above-described forms. DHS has previously explained that such technology allows for a unique and automatic identifier issued to pedestrians and visitors crossing in vehicles in order to make an automatic recording of visitors' arrival and departure.
DHS explains that this notice does not expand the classes of non-immigrant travelers who are required issuance of the above-listed forms. DHS sources add that those people, including commercial drivers, currently requiring a From I-94 or I-94W will continue to receive the same forms. If such individuals enter through the above-listed ports, the forms they are issued will be embedded with RFID technology.
-DHS solicits public comments on the issues in this notice through October 3, 2005.
(See ITT's Online Archives or 02/07/05 news, 05020720, for BP summary of DHS' plans to test RFID technology at land borders under US-VISIT. See ITT's Online Archives or 07/12/05 news, 05071299 6, for BP summary of a DHS notice on revised privacy impact assessment due to RFID for US-VISIT.)
DHS Contact - Craig Howie (202) 298-5200
DHS Notice (D/N DHS 2005-0011, FR Pub 08/04/05) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-15487.pdf