On November 13, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) started a pilot program that will collect biometric information from illegal migrants who were attempting to enter the U.S. through the waters between the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico (the Mona Passage).

As part of the pilot program, the Coast Guard will compare digital fingerprints and photographs of these illegal migrants against data in the US-VISIT database. This database includes information about wanted criminals, immigrant violators and individuals who have had previous encounters with government.

“The Coast Guard's role in maritime border security is to support the national policy of orderly, safe and legal migration while ensuring safety of life at sea,” says Admiral Thad Allen, commandant, Coast Guard. “Since 9/11, it has become increasingly important to know who is attempting to gain access to the United States, and this project gives us the means to positively identify and take appropriate actions regarding individuals intercepted at sea.”

Robert Mocny, acting director, US-VISIT program, says: “Biometrics make it virtually impossible to use forged documents or claim a fraudulent identity …. The Coast Guard’s comparison of biometrics collected at sea to those collected through the US-VISIT program will greatly enhance our ability to intercept those who pose a threat to national security.”