Land-ho for US-VISIT
The Homeland Security Department announced the first 50 land ports of entry to take part in the U.S. Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology program.
Homeland Security Department officials announced the first 50 land ports of entry to take part in the U.S. Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology program.
US-VISIT workers use biometrics such as digital, inkless fingerprint scans and digital photographs to determine if a person applying for entry to the United States is the same person to whom State Department officials issued a visa. The biometric and biographic data is also checked against terrorist watch lists.
All 50 ports, the U.S. land crossings with the heaviest traffic, will begin enrolling aliens in US-VISIT no later than Dec. 31, 2004, although their actual launch dates are being staggered during the next few weeks, starting Nov. 15 in Texas, Arizona and Michigan.
Entry points with an estimated start date of Nov. 15, 2004:
Port Huron, Mich.: Blue Water Bridge, Interstate 69 and international border.
Douglas, Ariz.: Douglas port of entry, U.S. Route 191 and international border.
Laredo, Texas: Lincoln-Juarez Bridge.
Laredo, Texas: Gateway to the Americas International Bridge.
Laredo, Texas: Laredo-Columbia Solidarity Bridge.
Laredo, Texas: World Trade Bridge.
Estimated start date of Dec. 6, 2004:
Niagara Falls, N.Y.: Niagara Falls port of entry, including Lewiston-Queenstown, Whirlpool and Rainbow bridges.
Buffalo, N.Y.: Peace Bridge, Moore Drive and international border.
Detroit: Detroit Ambassador Bridge.
Detroit: Detroit-Windsor Tunnel.
Lukeville, Ariz.: Lukeville, Arizona Route 85 and international border.
Nogales, Ariz.: Nogales East (DeConcini) port of entry.
Nogales, Ariz.: Nogales West (Mariposa) port of entry.
San Luis, Ariz.: San Luis port of entry, Arizona Route 95 and international border.
Andrade, Calif., port of entry.
Calexico, Calif.: Calexico East-Imperial Valley port of entry, California Route 111 and international border.
Calexico, Calif.: Calexico West port of entry, California Route 111 and international border.
Estimated start date of Dec. 13, 2004:
Fabens, Texas: Fabens port of entry, 18051 Island Guadalupe.
Presidio, Texas: Presidio port of entry, Border Station U.S. Route 67.
Santa Teresa, N.M., port of entry.
San Diego: Otay Mesa port of entry, 9777 Via De La Amistad.
San Diego: San Ysidro port of entry, Interstate 5 and international border.
Tecate, Calif.: Tecate port of entry, California Route 188 and international border.
Blaine, Wash.: Blaine-Pacific Highway, Washington Route 543 and international border.
Blaine, Wash.: Blaine-Peace Arch, Interstate 5 and international border.
Lynden, Wash.: Lynden port of entry, Washington Route 539 and international border.
Point Roberts, Wash.: Point Roberts port of entry, Tyee Drive and Roosevelt Way.
Sumas, Wash.: Sumas port of entry, Cherry Street and International Avenue.
Estimated start date of Dec. 20, 2004:
Champlain, N.Y.: Champlain port of entry, Interstate 87 and international border.
Rooseveltown, N.Y.: Massena port of entry, New York Route 45 and international border.
Alexandria Bay, N.Y.: Thousand Islands port of entry, Interstate 81 and international border.
Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.: International Bridge, Interstate 75 and international border.
El Paso, Texas: Bridge of the Americas.
El Paso, Texas: Paso del Norte Bridge.
El Paso, Texas: Ysleta, Ysleta-Zaragoza Bridge.
Derby Line, Vt.: Derby Line port of entry, Interstate 91 and international border.
Calais, Maine: Calais ferry point, Main Street and international border.
International Falls, Minn.: International Falls, U.S. Route 53 and international border.
Estimated start date of Dec. 27, 2004:
Brownsville, Texas: Gateway International Bridge.
Brownsville, Texas: Brownsville-Matamoros Bridge.
Brownsville, Texas: Los Tomates port of entry, Veterans International Bridge.
McAllen, Texas: Hidalgo port of entry, McAllen-Hidalgo-Reynosa International Bridge.
Los Indios, Texas: Los Indios port of entry, Free Trade Bridge at Los Indios.
Pharr, Texas: Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge.
Progreso, Texas: Progreso-Nuevo Progreso International Bridge.
Rio Grande City, Texas: Starr-Camargo Bridge.
Roma, Texas: Roma-Ciudad Miguel Alemán International Bridge, U.S. Route 83 and international border.
Del Rio, Texas: Del Rio/Cuidad Acuna International Bridge, Garfield Avenue and international border.
Eagle Pass, Texas: Eagle Pass Bridge I , Eagle Pass-Piedras Negras International Bridge, U.S. Route 57 and international border.
Eagle Pass, Texas: Eagle Pass Bridge II , Camino Real International Bridge, U.S. Route 57 and international border.
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