New Indianapolis International Airport Security Measures GetMixed Reaction

January 5, 2004

New Airport Security Measures Get Mixed Reaction
WISH, IN

Foreign visitors can expect a new level of security at Indianapolis 
International Airport. US customs officials are unveiling a new program that 
instantly checks an immigrant or visitor's criminal background. It's the latest 
step to keep terrorists from getting into the country.
     
The system went into effect Monday, but it is already sparking some controversy.

The program is called "US Visit." It's supposed to make people feel safer, but 
it may create new headaches for air travelers and the airline industry.

"PR-wise, this is going to be a disaster,” predicted Indianapolis immigration 
lawyer Steven Tuchman.  He says the latest safeguard from the US Department of 
Homeland Security raises new questions.

Starting today, most overseas visitors are being fingerprinted and photographed 
when they arrive at 115 international airports. Customs officials look at the 
data to see if they match up with anyone on a watch list.
 
"A lot of people are going to be inconvenienced, and it, too, is going to be an 
imperfect system that ends up putting people on lists that they would not 
deserve to be on,” said Tuchman.

People from 28 mostly European countries aren't required to go through this. 
That's already raising red flags with some passengers.

"I think as long as they use the same rule for everyone, because I know there 
are some countries that they don't require a visa from. I think they need to 
use the same rule for everyone, not just the countries where the have to get a 
visa to come to the US," said Veronica Pimentel, an air passenger.

Airport officials say the new measure affects only a few flights in 
Indianapolis each week. Passengers on those flights are typically tourists.

"I think they will get the hang of it after a while, it won't slow things down 
too much.  I'm sure it will be a little messy at the beginning, but I'm not 
worried about it,” said Julia Winston.

American Trans Air brings people to Indianapolis directly from Cancun, Mexico. 
ATA officials say it's in the company's best interest not to discuss the 
details of the new security measures with the general public.

US Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge says the program's already been 
tested. Ridge says, in that test, 21 people were denied entrance to the US 
because of previous criminal activity of visa violations.
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