EU visitors to have fingerprints taken

[archigabe]

EU visitors to have fingerprints taken
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/w ... 366326.ece
[quote]
BRUSSELS Every visitor to the European Union would have to provide fingerprints before being allowed to enter, under plans unveiled yesterday to clamp down on illegal immigration.

The move to record the arrival and departure of non-EU citizens and to store the data in a single European database is part of a wider overhaul of border security. It is aimed at the largest single category of illegal migrants: people who remain once their visa or permit has expired.

Franco Frattini, the EU Justice Commissioner, argued that the existence of the electronic register containing a visitor’s personal details and final destination would make it possible to identify overstayers.

The scheme, which must be approved by all 27 EU governments before it can come into force in 2013 as proposed, has been criticised by civil rights groups. They fear that it could lead to a “fortress Europeâ€

[ciaramc]

Just so you all know...in Italy everybody applying for a permit for work or residence have to have their fingerprints taken!

Is this the same in England and Ireland I had heard that they are all trying to implement this????

[Richard66]

Not quite true, Ciaramc: my wife, who is Russian) never had her fingerprints taken (and I know of someone else in the same situation) and I don't believe such a request would be legal from family members.

I believe this fingerprint paranoia only applies for non-EEA family immigration.

[ciaramc]

Well Richard66 I can guarntee you it is true anybody that apply for a permesso di soggiorno...now has to have their digital fingerprints taken...since last year! My husband had his taken in May 2007 and everyone else I know has had them taken ...it is now the law here in Italy ask around....your wife was one of the lucky ones! But if she ever has to renew her permesso she will have to give her fingerprints!!!

[global gypsy]

The news report says this will come into force only by 2013.