The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) established the U.S. Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology (US-VISIT) program to collect, maintain, and share data on selected foreign nationals entering and exiting the United States at air, sea and land ports of entry (POEs). These data, including biometric identifiers like digital fingerprints, are to be used to screen persons against watch lists, verify visitors' identities, and record arrival and departure. GAO was asked to review implementation at land POE facilities and in doing so GAO analyzed: (1) efforts to implement US-VISIT entry capability; (2) efforts to implement US-VISIT exit capability; and (3) DHS's efforts to define how US-VISIT fits with other emerging border security initiatives. GAO reviewed DHS and US-VISIT program documents, interviewed program officials, and visited 21 land POEs with varied traffic levels on both borders.

Summarizes GAO¿s work on the Dept. of Homeland Security¿s (DHS) efforts to implement the U.S. Visitor & Immigrant Status Indicator Technology (US-VISIT) program at air, sea, & land ports of entry (POE). US-VISIT is designed to collect, maintain, & share data on selected foreign nationals entering & exiting the U.S. at air, sea, & land POEs. These data, including biometric identifiers like digital fingerprints, are to be used to screen persons against watch lists, verify identities, & record arrival & departure. This testimony addresses DHS¿s efforts to: implement US-VISIT entry capability; implement US-VISIT exit capability; & resolve long-standing mgmt. challenges that could impair DHS¿s ability to effectively implement the US-VISIT program. Charts & tables.

This testimony summarizes GAO's work on the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) efforts to implement the U.S. Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology (US-VISIT) program at air, sea, and land ports of entry (POE). US-VISIT is designed to collect, maintain, and share data on selected foreign nationals entering and exiting the United States at air, sea, and land POEs. These data, including biometric identifiers like digital fingerprints, are to be used to screen persons against watch lists, verify identities, and record arrival and departure. This testimony addresses DHS's efforts to (1) implement US-VISIT entry capability, (2) implement US-VISIT exit capability, and (3) resolve longstanding management challenges that could impair DHS's ability to effectively implement the US-VISIT program. GAO analyzed DHS and US-VISIT documents, interviewed program officials, and visited 21 land POEs with varied traffic levels on both borders.

Contents: (1) Recent Legislative Developments; (2) Background; (3) Org. and Composition: Evolution of the National Strategic Plan: National Border Patrol Strategy; Budget and Resources; Surveillance Assets (Secure Border Initiative); Automated Biometrics Identification System (IDENT); Apprehensions Statistics; (4) Southwest Border; (5) Northern Border; (6) Border Patrol Issues for Congress: 9/11 Report and the Northern Border; Migrant Deaths; Attacks on Border Patrol Agents; Interior Enforcement; Integration of IDENT/IAFIS Law Enforcement Databases; Deployment of SBInet Technology; Civilian Humanitarian Groups; Staffing and Training Issues; Agent Attrition. Illustrations. This is a print on demand report.