CBP Practice Alert: Application of US-VISIT to Permanent Residents
On December 19, 2008 the DHS published a final rule expanding significantly the population of aliens subject to the United States Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology Program ("US-VISIT") to include, among other classes of aliens, permanent resident aliens. It becomes effective January 18, 2009. AILA issued a statement on December 18th objecting to this expansion.
Paul Morris, Director for Admissibility and Passenger Control for Customs and Border Protection ("CBP"), stated that US-VISIT will apply to all permanent residents entering or exiting from an air or seaport. Permanent residents entering through land ports of entry, however, will be required to provide fingerprints only if they are referred to secondary inspection. Not all land ports of entry currently have ten-print capability; installation at all ports is expected to be complete within the next month.
Unresolved questions remain about the timeline for implementation of US-VISIT departure requirements for permanent residents. AILA hopes to clarify these issues in January at its scheduled meeting with CBP.
Permanent residents with criminal convictions traveling outside of the
Source:AILA