Last month the Department of Homeland Security launched US-VISIT, a new government initiative which forces all foreign citizens with non-immigrant visas to undergo a more extensive set of procedures upon entering the country. To verify identity, the system utilizes biometrics, which are physical characteristics unique to each individual, collected with instruments such as the new inkless digital “finger scanner.” Visitors put both index fingers one after the other on a glass plate that electronically captures two finger-scans. After that a digital picture of each visitor is also taken.
“The enhancements to the entry procedures add minimal time to the process, an average of 15 seconds in most cases,” according to the Department of Homeland Security’s website.

As the program was only put in place a little over month ago, it is still early to tell what effects, if any, the additional entry procedures will have on foreign students. In fact, Ellen Sayles, Associate Dean of Studies, says she has yet to hear any comments from students, either positive or negative.

“It may be up to the INS and Homeland Security Department to have this policy on the grounds of security, but nonetheless, I find it a little disturbing,” Bernard Matambo, a junior from Harare, Zimbabwe said.

An international student from Asia, who asked to remain anonymous, remarked that, although he has not yet experienced the new procedure first hand, he doubts it actually does much to enhance U.S. security. He views the new system as something simply to make government officials feel good about themselves and enhance their image in the eyes of the public. He says he is not offended by the new program, and since it adds very little time to the entry process, he does not mind.