Department of Homeland Security's US-VISIT Ensures Privacy Protection for International Travelers

Privacy protection is fundamental to ensuring the success of US-VISIT, the biometrics based identity management program for international travelers visiting the United States, launched by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in 2004. US-VISIT continues to place a high priority on privacy.

Washington, D.C. (PRWEB) May 15, 2007 -- Privacy is a core component of the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) (http://www.dhs.gov/index.shtm) US-VISIT program. US-VISIT (http://www.dhs.gov/us-visit) provides biometrics based identity management services to entities throughout the U.S. government. From the program's inception 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.

US VISIT recently produced 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, detailing three key elements of US-VISIT's success in protecting privacy: upholding accountability through public transparency, maintaining a well-managed and articulated redress policy and supporting strict data protocols.

Data about persons processed through US-VISIT is securely stored on systems that have been certified and accredited and made available only to authorized officials and selected law enforcement agencies. US-VISIT vigilantly protects the personal information 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.

US-VISIT provides 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.

For more information, please visit www.dhs.gov/us-visit.

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