The USA's Ridiculous Border Controls

In order to keep New York attractive as an international financial center, it has to be reasonably easy for foreigners to get in and out. Not that the Department of Homeland Security seems to care. Already taking two fingerprints from every non-citizen entering the country, the DHS has now announced that it will require ten fingerprints at Dulles from November 29, and at JFK and eight other airports in early 2008. Because heaven forfend anybody coming through Dulles not be known to the Authorities by the fingerprint on their left pinkie. Even if it means even longer lines to get into the country at the airport.

But wait, it gets better. By the end of 2008, the Department of Homeland Security wants to fingerprint everybody exiting the country as well. DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff pledged as recently as September 5 that deadline would be met. Can you even imagine where this fingerprinting might happen? The DHS wants the airlines to do it at the gate, but they hate the idea, which would seem to positively guarantee further delays. The alternative is to do it at the security screening, which of course is such a pleasant breeze right now.

The really crazy thing is that all of this fingerprinting realistically achieves nothing, at least unless and until it is implemented at the land borders with Mexico and Canada as well. And there's no chance of that happening in the foreseeable future. So millions are inconvenienced to no end. No wonder London is looking increasingly welcoming, Heathrow notwithstanding.