DHS System of Records – US-VISIT RFID Tags

The Department of Homeland Security issued a Notice stating that it is establishing a Privacy Act system of records entitled the Automated Identification Management System (AIDMS). The AIDMS consists of the reports from radio frequency identification (RFID) tags that will be issued to aliens traveling to the United States. The RFID tag will be linked to biographic and/or biometric data for that traveler. The RFID tag will then be used by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials at land border Ports of Entry (POE) to verify the identity of the traveler and track entries and exits. This new program is not directly related to the maritime community, except for foreign mariners that might be joining or departing a vessel in the United States. It does, though, indicate the direction that will probably be taken in the future regarding all entries and exits of aliens at all U.S. POE. It also represents an expansion of government use of RFID technology. 70 Fed. Reg. 38699 (HK Law)