Biometrics Helps Coast Guard in the Fight Against Illegal Migration

Illegal migrants are being constantly watched by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through the operations of the US Coast Guard, who patrols the shores of the United States, especially in hot spots near the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. With the new improved biometrics system, the Coast Guard can now effectively reduce the number of illegal migrants from setting foot on American soil.

In 2006 to 2007, the Department of Homeland Security collected biometrics from 1,300 migrants. Biometrics data includes fingerprints, blood type, and many others, and have placed this info in a large database maintained by the US Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology (US-VISIT). US-VISIT allows for the most effective and fastest detection of illegal migrants, especially those with criminal records and previous run-in with the authorities. The biometrics system being implemented by the DHS gives the US Coast Guard the equipment and technological knowledge to collect biometrics from any apprehended and suspected illegal migrants. From this data collection, the Coast Guard can upload and search US-VISIT to determine the status of the illegal migrant, using satellite technology. The system is not only fast, but accurate as well.

The biometrics system, as a joint effort of the US Coast Guard and US-VISIT is a first for the Coast Guard, as the unit has never had the capacity to immediately detect or identify suspected illegal migrants. This helps the Coast Guard and other local authorities to apprehend those who have criminal records and have been previously tagged as suspects. From the start of the implementation of this system, almost 100 illegal migrants have been identified, arrested, and prosecuted by the US Coast Guard. The current number of illegal migrants is said to have reduced by 50% thanks to the effectiveness of the biometrics system. Currently, the most watched areas are the US coastlines near Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.

Because the US Coast Guard secured over 95,000 miles of the American coastline, this system doubles and triples the effectiveness of the Coast Guard in deterring illegal migration, as well as in apprehending and prosecuting those who should be, according to Director of Response Policy Rear Admiral Wayne Justice.

Other authorities that assisted the DHS, US Coast Guard, and US-VISIT in ensuring the success of the project were: Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the US Attorney’s Office in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and the US Embassy in Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic.