- January 2009
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Technology
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U.S. Department of Homeland Security to expand US-VISIT biometric categories
On December 18, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced its plans to expand the categories of non-U.S. citizens required to provide both digital fingerprints and a photograph upon entering the United States through US-VISIT.
US-VISIT is a program that records biographic and biometric data to confirm the identities of non-U.S. citizens visiting the country. According to the DHS, expanding the US-VISIT biometric categories is “a positive step forward in a process designed to further improve public safety and national security while ensuring the integrity of the immigration system.”
Additional non-U.S. citizens required to provide biometrics now include lawful permanent residents of the United States; persons entering the United States who seek admission on immigrant visas; persons entering the United States who seek admission as refugees and asylees; and Canadian citizens who are currently required to obtain a Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Document upon entry, or require a waiver of inadmissibility to enter the United States. Some U.S. visitors will continue to remain exempt, including non-U.S. citizens younger than age 14 or older than 79, as well as Canadian citizens on short-term visits under B visas.
Sources: CNET News, dhs.gov
Marriott moves to eco-friendly key cards
Marriott International has purchased 24 million plastic key cards made of 50 percent recycled material to be used in its hotels. This is one of Marriott’s many “greener” practices to reduce its environmental impact. This change alone is expected to save 66 tons of plastic from ending up in landfills.
Sources: Marriott.com, Travel Weekly
