My opinion’s always been that a fingerprint data system is worthless. How difficult is it to alter fingerprints? So why keep these border-crossing cards, which could be forged anyway, if agents won’t be comparing fingerprints? To exclude this group of travellers is an admission of the futility of this type of programme and the inability of the gov’t to intercept terrorists at the borders.
Fox said the fingerprinting and photograph requirement now won’t apply for border-crossing card holders, celebrating “the news that was confirmed today with regard to visitors to the U.S. from Mexico.”
Fox also applauded work by the two leaders to advance a proposal Bush offered in January to give temporary visas to illegal immigrants, most from Mexico, already working in the United States.
But Bush was pessimistic about the prospects for congressional passage of his temporary worker proposal — saying “there’s no telling what’s going to happen in an election year.” Also, he said little about the border-crossing issue while his aides signaled it is far from settled.
Bush told Fox in their Saturday morning meeting that he is committed to the exemption, though details still need to be worked out, White House spokesman Sean McCormack said. However, McCormack wouldn’t confirm that the remaining issues were merely technical, saying the matter is extraordinarily complex, and could not offer a timetable for a final agreement.
On Friday, the White House said it was strongly considering a proposal under which the multi-use visas that those frequent Mexican travelers have could be used in place of the US-VISIT checks at the border checks. The documents already require background checks, fingerprinting and photographs.