U.S. Anti-Terrorism Prevention Measures Continues & Produces Negotiations and Frictions Abroad

In the beginning of 2004, the U.S. Government?s efforts to extend anti-terrorism and homeland security measures has produced new measures and cooperation with foreign governments, but also protests, negotiations, and counter-measures by other foreign governments and international organizations. On January 5, 2004, U.S. immigration officers started fingerprinting and photographing tens of thousands of foreign visitors required to have visas in a sophisticated new security measure whereby the U.S. will monitor who enters the country and how long they stay. The new measure affects a total of 115 airports with international flights, including several in Canada, Ireland and the Caribbean with U.S. customs booths, introduced the extra layer of screening, along with cruise ship terminals at 14 major seaports. The Department of Homeland Security is administering the program and said problems and delays were minimal.