NewsMax.com Wires
Monday, Dec. 1, 2003

Asa Hutchinson, undersecretary for border and transportation security, said Monday that the department would focus more on individuals instead of "broad categories."

He said the decision was not influenced by recent negative publicity about the controversial program. He said the program was being "suspended," but then later said "you could use the word terminate."

He said the program could be used again if there were another terrorist attack linked to a foreign country.

The National Security Entry Exit Registration System, or NSEERS, sparked protests around the country earlier this year when thousands of men were required to be fingerprinted, photographed and interviewed at U.S. immigration offices. Some were deported, mostly because they had overstayed their visas.

The government is expected to start a new program Jan. 5 that will digitally photograph and fingerprint millions of people who visit the United States each year on tourist, business and student visas.

That is intended to replace the registration program. The people who were required to register under NSEERS while in the United States still will be required to register each time they enter the country and to check in as they exit.

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