Reciprocity

International News - January 5, 2004
Reactions Mixed to U.S. Security Measures

January 5, 2004 07:14 PM EST

MEXICO CITY - Travelers criticized a new U.S. policy of photographing and fingerprinting foreign visitors as heavy-handed, but some voiced grudging acceptance Monday of the need for tighter security. Officials began scanning fingerprints and taking photographs of foreigners arriving at U.S. airports Monday as part of a new program to keep out terrorists.

In retaliation, Brazil's Foreign Ministry started fingerprinting and photographing arriving Americans last week. U.S. citizens waited for hours Monday to be photographed and fingerprinted at Rio's international airport.

"As far as reciprocity, Brazil has every right to do this," said Claire Fallender, a 27-year-old American sociologist from Boston, who said she had been waiting for five hours. "The only problem is without the technology to process people, it's causing frustration and losing the point of protesting American policy."

The U.S. Embassy in Brazil issued a statement Monday night expressing regret that American citizens were being singled out at Brazilian airports.

"While we acknowledge Brazil's sovereign right to determine the requirements for entry into Brazil, we regret the way in which new procedures have suddenly been put in place that single out U.S. citizens for exceptional treatment that has meant lengthy delays in processing, such as the case today with a more than nine hour delay for some U.S. citizens," said the statement signed by embassy press attache Wesley Carrington.

The statement added that the new U.S. policy is applied to citizens from more than 150 countries where visas are required to enter the United States - and not just Brazilians.

At the airport in Mexico City, Mexicans returning to the United States arrived up to six hours before their flights were scheduled to take off Monday. Many said the new measures were inconvenient, but most appeared to be moving through security and check-ins with few delays.

"I think it is a little much," said Constanza Carrillo, a 30-year-old computer software technician who lives in Denver. "But if it feels safer for the government of the United States and for Americans, we don't have a problem with it."

Victor Fuentes, an 18-year-old Mexican returning to the United States to study at a high school in Chicago, said more security was better than less. "It's fine with me because it is for the safety of everyone," he said.

Last week, two Aeromexico flights to Los Angeles were canceled after U.S. officials reported possible security concerns. Agents at U.S. border crossings won't begin fingerprinting and photographing travelers until later this year.

The new U.S. program targets foreigners entering the 115 U.S. airports that handle international flights, as well as 14 major seaports. Excepted are visitors from 27 countries - mostly European nations - whose citizens are allowed to come to the United States for up to 90 days without visas.

Osinachi Agwu, a 30-year-old banker in Lagos, Nigeria, said the measures were "a tool of discrimination against the non-European races."

Idris Mohammed, 46, a computer analyst in Lagos, said traveling to the United States would "never again be the pleasure it used to be."

"Though I bear a Muslim-sounding name, I'm actually a Christian," he said. "But you can visualize me visiting the U.S. and waiting with trepidation to be fingerprinted and photographed, afraid the computer may raise an alarm on finding a like name on the terror suspects' list."

Originally posted by Adam
I wish to visit friends in the USA soon. I have no desire to be fingerprinted, photographed, databased, and in general treated like a criminal.

Originally posted by Adam
I wish to visit friends in the USA soon. I have no desire to be fingerprinted, photographed, databased, and in general treated like a criminal.

Originally posted by phatmonky
You mean like you do everytime you get a driver's license?

Originally posted by phatmonky
You mean like you do everytime you get a driver's license?

Originally posted by Adam
They do all that for driving permits in your country?

Originally posted by Zero
What country do you live in?

Originally posted by phatmonky
excuse me, I guess my foot is in my mouth.



USA - But more importantly what state do I live in, since that is where they are dictated ;)

Texas, and yes this is the process by which you get a license. Picture digitally for your license, and a inkless thumbprint.

Originally posted by Adam
Last time I renewed my permit, I went in, got a photo taken for the new card, signed something so they could put my signature on the card, and handed in my old permit.