But noncompliant visitors will get one-time exemption, Homeland Security says
Citizens of Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries entering the United States must have either machine-readable passports (MRPs) or visas in their non-MRPs starting October 26.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will enforce the new policy at the entry points, Under Secretary Asa Hutchinson said October 22 as he briefed reporters in Washington about the policy change. The United States is requiring machine-readable passports because they are considered more secure documents and less subject to falsification.
Homeland Security says biometric consistent with international standards
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced October 28 the adoption of its first biometric facial recognition standard, according to a DHS press release.
"This standard will help improve our long-term security by facilitating the interchange of digitally stored photographs, regardless of what equipment is used to take or to display the images," said Dr. Charles McQueary, DHS's under secretary for science and technology.
Charges against fraudulent marriages undertaken for immigration purposes
A California husband and wife and two Indian citizens go to trial sometime next year on charges that they attempted to use a fraudulent marriage to enable the Indians to immigrate to the United States.
The case now being prosecuted by U.S. District Attorneys in California is described in an October 26 press release from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
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Briefing Audio
