Dionne Rose, Staff Reporter

DESPITE THE United States (US) government's introduction of more stringent security-screening processes at embassies worldwide since the 911 terrorist attack in 2001, the demand for non-immigrant visas has remained high.

Janice Jacobs, assistant secretary of state for consular affairs, made the disclosure during a visit to the island last week. According to Jacobs, the US received 8.5 million applications last year and issued 6.8 million. In Jamaica, the embassy here conducted 104,947 interviews for non-immigrant visas for fiscal year 2007.

This represents 13,000 more than fiscal year 2006, said Edward Wehrli, counsellor for consular affairs and consul general at the United States Embassy in Jamaica.

Wehrli said so far, for fiscal year 2008, the embassy has conducted 79,128 interviews for non-immigrant visas.

"One of the interesting things about our numbers overall is that after 911, 2001, all of our numbers dropped significantly. Worldwide, we saw a 40 per cent decrease in the number of people seeking visas," reported Jacobs. "But (based on) what we have seen now and in the last couple of years, the numbers are back to where it was before 911."

Inkless fingerprint scanning

Since 911, applicants for non-immigrant visits have to undergo inkless "digital" painless fingerprint scanning before their interviews. The scanning process is in accordance with US law and requires all US embassies and consulates worldwide to collect biometric identifiers from visa applicants.

The United States said the collection of fingerprints from visa applicants facilitates legitimate travel to the US by international visitors while maintaining the integrity security of its borders.

Jacobs also reported that the biometrics technology that was being used had a high success rate in detecting suspected criminals.

"In general, we have caught some high-profile criminals and I am not only talking about just Jamaica, this is on a worldwide basis," she said without citing figures. "We have caught a number of impostors who that would have probably got through. so we have several success stories."

A deterrent

Wehrli pointed out that the biometrics security system also acts as a deterrent to persons who might have tried to bypass the system.

"We know that people who expect that we are going to detect them probably would not come in to see us. That does not mean they can't try to go to the States somehow," he said. "It also acts as a deterrent to people who might misuse the system if they thought our defences were weaker."

Wehrli said in terms of visa jurisdictions, it also helps. "Because you can't cheat. If you are illegible, you can't change your identity anymore; we are going to find you because if you are illegible, you are in the look -out system."

Jacobs also disclosed that the United States would be introducing online payments within a year to address the difficulties faced by prospective applicants in booking an appointment date for non-immigrant visas.

"In the future, we're going to allow people when they make their appointment to also pay online for the visa processing fee that we charge," said Jacobs. "We think this will lead to a decrease and we have already started to pilot that in other countries."

Jacobs said currently - this on-line payment is being piloted in Mexico.

dionne.rose@gleanerjm.com