Detroit Metropolitan Airport Begins Using Biometric Exit Program

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that beginning Jan. 28 foreign visitors leaving from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport will be taking part in a required pilot program to test and evaluate an automated biometric exit process.

Foreign visitors departing from Detroit will be asked to provide two index finger scans and pose for a photo as a part of the pilot.

US-VISIT procedures apply to all visitors, with some exceptions, entering the United States, regardless of country of origin or whether they are traveling on a visa. While most visitors experience US-VISIT's biometric procedures upon entry to the United States, they will now have to follow the same procedure if they leave from an airport or seaport that has an exit capability like Detroit.

Foreign visitors will receive a printed card explaining the exit process from a Customs and Border Protection officer when they arrive in the United States at one of the airports participating in the pilot.

Other airports in the program include Baltimore-Washington International, Chicago O'Hare, Denver and Dallas/Fort Worth as well as the Miami International cruise line terminal.

Exit procedures became operational at Newark Liberty International Airport and Luis Munoz International Airport in San Juan last week and at San Francisco International Airport on Jan. 25.

By testing and evaluating the exit processes, the DHS said that US-VISIT can "analyze the benefits and challenges of each in order to develop a system that enhances security while facilitating legitimate travel and ensuring visitors' privacy."