O'Hare Turns On High-Tech Security System

Foreign Travelers Screened On Entering And Exiting U.S.

August 3, 2004/NBC5

With the new terror threat against America, some of the nation's top security experts were in Chicago Tuesday to install high-tech terror-fighting technology at O'Hare Airport.

NBC 5's Kim Vatis reported on this major step in efforts to combat terrorism and protect our borders.

According to Vatis, Tuesday's efforts constitute phase two of a process that started back in January.

Now, she said, not only will foreign visitors have to check in when they arrive at O'Hare, but they'll also have to check out through the new system before they leave the country. The new high-tech system will match the identity of travelers with their travel documents.

A demonstration of the system was offered Tuesday, with the pilot program having taken effect Monday night.

A dozen other airports and seaports will soon follow O'Hare's example, Vatis said, installing and operating similar systems.

The system at O'Hare allows visas and passports to be scanned, finger prints checked and a digital photo taken of what's called a biometric exit procedure.

The entry program has already stopped hundreds of illegal immigrants and criminals from entering the U.S. at other locations, Vatis said.

"As they check out biometrically," said Asa Hutchinson with the Department of Homeland Security, "that will be instantaneously checked against our terrorist watch lists, so that we can detect -- not just when they enter the country, but when they leave the country -- as to whether there is any security concern. That will be simultaneously reviewed by our national targeting center that will monitor the exit and notify law enforcement personnel if there is any security risk. "

Vatis said that the kiosks, which look like ATM machines, will be located near many of the departure gates.

The program is mandatory for all foreign travelers. Residents of many countries that had been previously waived from such measures, will have to undergo those same procedures beginning in September, authorities said.

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