As terrorism spreads around the globe, the US has stepped up its efforts to protect itself from another 9/11 surprise attack. Americans are anxious to secure their borders without having to close them.
To do this it wants closer screening of people who enter the country, and ships that use its ports.
Last week US Charge d’Affaires Robert Witajewski reminded the Bahamas government that it “really must move expeditiously to begin issuing machine readable passports.”
According to the US Congress, US officials must, no later than October 26, issue international visitors “only machine readable, tamper resistant visas and other travel and entry documents that use biometric identifiers.”
The first part of the process essentially assures us that the visa applicant is an individual that we want to welcome to the United States,” said Mr. Witajewski. “The second part of the process is making sure that the person to whom we have issued a visa is the same individual standing in front of the Department of Home Security officer when they come to the United States.
The Bahamas has a unique advantage over other countries. It is only one of five in the world that has US pre-clearance facilities. This is a convenience that the Bahamas would be loathe to lose because of the obvious benefits to its tourist economy.
There are now two signs in the US pre-clearance area at Nassau International Airport. One sign invites Americans with machine readable passports to line up in front of it. The other directs Bahamian citizens with machine readable passports to another line. The American line is busy. The Bahamaina line is empty. Meanwhile the Bahamas government is mute.
Has the Bahamas any plans to meet this criteria? With Americans getting more jittery about terrorism, their officials are determined to hold everyone’s feet to the fire.
Taken from The Tribune Editorial
