DOS Cable on Rollout of Biometric Visa Program

Completion of Biometric Deployment

082151Z OCTOBER 8, 2004
STATE 218478
SUBJECT: COMPLETION OF BIOMETRIC DEPLOYMENT

1. M/R (SEP) cleared this telegram.

2. I would like to congratulate all NIV and IV issuing posts on the successful deployment of the biometric visa program. The last post was brought on line October 7. In a little over a year, we have added to our existing biometric program for Border Crossing Cards in Mexico the capability to collect and check fingerprints against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) IDENT database in any visa category. Our systems are an essential link in the US Visit program and go a long way towards addressing recommendations that appeared in the 9-11 Commission report. I am pleased to report that all 207 NIV posts are collecting biometrics for nonimmigrant visas, and all 125 IV issuing posts for immigrant and diversity visas. This is a phenomenal accomplishment, which would not have been possible without the cooperation, dedication and determination of everyone involved in the effort.

3. The success we have had with the rollout of the program is enhanced even further by the significant accomplishments of the process itself. We have had 3,567 hits in DHS' IDENT Watchlist since we began biometric deployment. These IDENT Watchlist hits are almost all for wanted persons, for immigration violations, or for criminal history records submitted by the FBI.

4. Of those 3,567 IDENT Watchlist hits, 1,434 did not have a corresponding CLASS CAT 1 hit, and 3,324 did not exactly match the applicant's name or date of birth in the NIV or IV system. I expect the importance of biometric identity verification will continue to increase in the years ahead, as the size of the IDENT database grows. We continue to work hand in hand with our colleagues at the Department of Homeland Security to ensure we have a system that continues to facilitate legitimate international travel and properly identifies those who pose a threat to prevent them entering our country.

5. The Congressionally mandated October 26 deadline seemed daunting as we began this effort last year. But I never had any doubt that with the help and hard work of thousands of consular officers, our domestic CSD staff, and our Information Management colleagues, that we could do it and we did! To all of you- thank you and well done!

6. Minimize considered.

POWELL