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Border Security: Challenges in Implementing Border Technology

GAO-03-546T Published: Mar 12, 2003. Publicly Released: Mar 12, 2003.
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Highlights

One of the primary missions of the new Department of Homeland Security (DHS) focuses on border control--preventing the illegal entry of people and goods into the United States. Part of this mission is controlling the passage of travelers through official ports of entry into the United States. Facilitating the flow of people while preventing the illegal entry of travelers requires an effective and efficient process that authenticates a traveler's identity. Generally, identifying travelers at the ports of entry is performed by inspecting their travel documents, such as passports and visas, and asking them questions. Technologies called biometrics can automate the identification of individual travelers by one or more of their distinct physiological characteristics. Biometrics have been suggested as a way of improving the nation's ability to determine whether travelers are admissible to the United States.

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Border controlBorder securityCounterterrorismHomeland securityIdentification cardsIdentity verificationImmigration enforcementImmigrationTechnologyBiometrics