[Infowarrior] - Head of visitor tracking program wants global ID system

[Richard Forno]

http://www.govexec.com/story_page.cfm?articleid=33925&dcn=e_gvet

Head of visitor tracking program wants global ID system

By Jonathan Marino
jmarino at govexec.com

The head of the Homeland Security Department's visitor tracking program on
Tuesday called for the creation of a "global ID management system" to make
travel easier while enhancing security.

Jim Williams, director of the US VISIT program within DHS, told attendees of
the National Business Travel Association's annual meeting he is aware of the
plight of the business traveler. Even he, despite his senior position in the
department, once found himself temporarily unable to board a plane because
he shared the name of an individual on a terrorist watch list, he said.


Williams said he wants to join forces with several DHS agencies to develop a
global identification system that would cut wait times, reduce government
fees for travelers, fight illegal immigration and, perhaps paramount, better
defend nations from terrorists.


The US VISIT chief, who already oversees identity inquiries for nearly every
visitor who enters the United States, said a worldwide identification system
will better link nations in the fight against terrorism. In his speech, he
likened al Qaeda operatives and sleeper cells - including the ones that
attacked on 9/11 - to "submarines" that must surface to kill.


"In order for them to do what they want to do, they have to travel,"
Williams said.


He did not specify when, or how, the proposed global program would be
implemented.


Williams suggested that a biometrics identification system might be used to
better track travelers to the United States. A similar program is being
tested in Great Britain, where such physical characteristics as fingerprints
or iris scans are being tied to national identification cards. Proponents
say it can cut the odds of success for immigration fraud.


Any program that can successfully ease both financial burdens and wait times
for travelers will be welcomed with open arms, said Hank Roeder, vice
president of global operations for the National Business Travel Association.


In his speech, Williams said an American version of the global ID plan would
likely require the cooperation of US VISIT, the Customs and Border
Protection bureau, the Transportation Safety Administration and U.S. Customs
and Immigration Services, all under the DHS umbrella.


A TSA official declined to comment, saying the agency has no knowledge of
the proposed plan. CBP and CIS could not be reached for comment.