United Kingdom Realizing the High Cost and Benefits of e-Borders
The United Kingdom has recently finished a trial electronic borders program where 29 million travelers were screened before they were allowed into the UK resulting in more than 13,000 alerts and 1,000 arrests. After the trial program, it is estimated that the program will cost £1.2 billion and will provide unified border control by 2009. The program requires all commercial and private carriers to submit detailed passenger and crew data prior to departure to and from the UK. That information is then checked in real time against watch lists and assessed for risks. “We’re creating an overseas border control with tougher checks before travelers board a train, plane or boat for Britain,” said immigration minister Liam Byrne. Starting next year, foreign nationals residing in Britain will be issued a biometric ID card. Biometric visas are now issued in over 80 countries. The e-Borders program is a joint project led by the Border and Immigration Agency, in partnership with the police, HM Revenue and Customs, and UKVisas. ![[end]](/resources/bullet/thirdfactor-4.gif)