U.S. Bound Fliers Required to Register Online
Travel News — By Molly McGonigle on February 17, 2010 at 3:53 pmThe Homeland Security Department has announced an added measure for non-American citizens who enter the United States. Beginning March 21, 2010, citizens of 35 different countries, including the UK, Japan, and Germany, could be refused entrance into the United States if they do not register online beforehand.
Beginning in late March, customs may charge airlines up to $3,300 per passenger allowed to board a U.S.-bound flight without registering. The online registration can be completed a few hours before boarding and asks for fairly simple biographical and background information for visitors. The U.S. government hopes that forcing people to register online will allow airports to properly screen those with criminal records or immigration problems.
There are concerns that thousands of people could be prevented from entering the United States because they simply don’t know about this new security addition. The senior vice president of the United Travel Association hopes the government launches a massive publicity campaign so that the United States doesn’t lose travelers unnecessarily.
[Photo: blmurch/Flickr]
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