DHS and State Department Discuss Vision for Improving Border Security, Facilitating Travel, Etc.
On January 17, 2006, Secretary of State Condaleeza Rice and Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff unveiled a three-part vision to ensure the use of the best new technologies and most efficient processes to improve border security, while facilitating travel and welcoming visitors to the U.S. Highlights of this vision include:
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Part 1 - improved technology and efficiency. According to the Secretaries, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the State Department are already offering new procedures - such as enrolling companies for expedited visa processing - and will introduce additional measures to help businesses and other travelers enter the U.S., including a new pilot program to complete applications and make appointments online. According to the State Department, today, 97% of approved travelers receive their visas in a day or two and the wait time for the rest has been dramatically decreased.
Secretary Rice states that the State Department has established a Business Visa Center to facilitate visa applications procedures for U.S. businesses with upcoming travel or events. The Center is already helping hundreds of U.S. companies every month and, based on continued feedback from users, will be enhanced to better meet the needs of the business community.
To decrease the wait time for visa appointments for travelers, and building on best practices at several posts, all American embassies and consulates have now established procedures to expedite the processing of business visas and are working closely with local American Chambers of Commerce in over 100 countries to expedite the visa process for bona fide business travelers.
Part 2 - travel documents. According to Secretary Chertoff, by the end of 2006, DHS and the State Department anticipate issuing a new, inexpensive secure travel card for land border crossings that will meet the documentation requirements of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative but in a way that does not necessarily require people to have passports of the traditional kind. The People Access Security Service, or PASS system card, is an important first step in implementing a broader shared vision for a unified, user-friendly system for trusted travelers.
Secetary Chertoff also stated that advancements in technology can be leveraged to increase aviation security. For example, DHS states that it has already found that machine-readable passports have helped speed travelers through airport controls while adding an additional layer of security. By 2007, the U.S. will transition exclusively to e-passports that will contain biometric information.
Part 3 - smarter screening. Among the initiatives discussed to improve screening were the creation of an entry-exit system with the US-VISIT, developing and using "travel intelligence" before travelers arrive, and "paperless" visa processing.
Secretary of State Rice's remarks (dated 01/17/06) available at http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2006/59239.htm.
DHS Secretary Chertoff's remarks (dated 01/17/06) available at http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/display?content=5351.
Fact sheet available at http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/display?content=5347.