The new security measure at the border crossings include ?fingerprinting, photographing and running checks on suspicious visitors;? this has been in place for all non-US citizens since January 2004 in US airports and seaports. Getting this technology operational in three border crossings is just the first step in testing its functionality. The goal is to have it in the 50 busiest border crossings before the year?s end. The Department of Homeland Security has allocated $340 million for these machines and another $340 million in 2005.

The data that is retrieved from these scanners is matched with various databases to ensure that visitors are not wanted for immigration violations, crimes, or terrorism. In theory, this effort is an excellent way to prevent nefarious entities from entering the United States and, thus, preventing not only terrorism but criminal activity. However, as was highlighted in the October 20, 2004 WAR Report, ?More problematic is that there are over 12 separate terrorist watch lists in nine federal government agencies?In addition to multiple lists, the data on the lists is frequently outdated, inconsistent, and contradictory to other lists.? Also, it is not typical for an illegal person?be that by criminal or terrorist intent?to go through legal means in entering a country. The porous southern border?US-Mexico?is a simple hurdle for an intent criminal (see August 18, 2004 WAR Report). Some 300 illegal immigrants are discovered each day in McAllen, Texas; imagine how many more are not stopped. ?Founder of watch group American Border Patrol, Glenn Spencer, says that while Mexico is making positive efforts, he remains unconvinced that they can intercept terrorists trying to cross into the US, particularly given the global heightened anti-Americanism.?

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