US-VISIT - The Biometrics Based Identity Management Program for International Travelers Visiting the United States

    US-VISIT is part of a continuum of security measures that begins overseas and continues through a visitor’s arrival in and departure from the United States.  It incorporates eligibility determinations made by both the Departments of Homeland Security and State.  

    US VISIT not long ago created a white paper on privacy, called 'US-VISIT Privacy Protections and Protocols.' The paper outlines the importance and integrated role of privacy within the program, covering three key elements of US-VISIT's success in guarding privacy: upholding accountability through public transparency, maintaining a well-managed and articulated redress policy and supporting strict information protocols.

US-VISIT is a top priority for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security because it

    * Facilitates legitimate travel and trade
    * Enhances the security of our citizens and visitors
    * Protects the privacy of our visitors
    * Ensures the integrity of our immigration system

    US-VISIT brings biometrics based identity management services to entities throughout the U.S. government. Privacy is a core component of the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) US-VISIT program. From the program's start point in 2004, it has integrated privacy protection, including a centralized and well-publicized redress process, into basic processes and procedures and into the enterprise architecture of the program. US VISIT has a dedicated privacy officer who is responsible not only for ensuring compliance with privacy laws and procedures, but also for promoting a culture within the program where privacy is inherently valued, and treated as a fundamental right and obligation. US-VISIT has a strong track record on privacy and has led the program's outreach to key privacy organizations around the world.

    Information related to the persons processed through US-VISIT is securely stored on systems that have been certified and accredited and made available only to authorized officials and choosen law enforcement agencies. US-VISIT vigilantly guards the personal data from misuse by anyone within or outside the government. US-VISIT's policy extends to non-U.S. citizens most of the same privacy protections afforded by law to U.S. citizens. Privacy experts and key privacy organizations have recognized US-VISIT's transparent privacy practices. In fact, privacy advocates have recognized US-VISIT's Privacy Impact Assessments as models of transparency.

    This solution offers biometrics based identity management services to entities throughout the U.S. government. Most international travelers applying to enter the United States experience US-VISIT procedures--the collection of digital fingerprints and a photograph. In fact, State Department consular officers and U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers use US-VISIT biometric identity management services to establish and verify travelers' identities.