DHS Proposes Expansion of Visitors Enrolled in US-VISIT

August 3, 2006

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposed a rule to expand processing in the U.S. Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology (US-VISIT) program to an additional number of non-U.S. citizens.

A notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) was published in the Federal Register. As a proposed rule, the new regulations are not effective immediately. A final rule will establish an effective date.

Specifically included would be:

• Lawful permanent residents of the U.S. (LPRs).
• Individuals entering the U.S. who seek admission on immigrant visas.
• Individuals entering the U.S. who seek admission as refugees and asylees.
• Certain Canadian citizens entering the U.S. for specific business or employment reasons, for example Form I-94 holders. This excludes most Canadian citizens entering the U.S. for purposes of shopping, visiting friends and family, vacation or short business trips.
• Individuals paroled into the U.S.
• Individuals applying for admission to Guam under the Guam Visa Waiver Program.

Expanding the population processed through US-VISIT is the next step in a plan to improve public safety and national security, as well as ensure the integrity of the immigration process. It is consistent with initiatives that strengthen the integrity of travel documents issued to foreign visitors seeking entry into the U.S., as it verifies the travel documents' holder by their biometrics.

The NPRM provides the general public with the opportunity to submit written comments electronically or by mail. Comments may be submitted on or before Aug. 28, 2006, citing Docket Number DHS-2005-0037, via:

• Federal rulemaking portal: www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. All submissions received must include the agency name and docket number for the rulemaking. All comments received will be posted without change to www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided.
• Mail: Written comments may be submitted to: US-VISIT, Department of Homeland Security, 1616 N. Fort Myer Dr., 18th Floor, Arlington, VA 22209.

The text of the proposed rule is available at www.dhs.gov/us-visit.

Source: U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).