Brazil will fingerprint U.S. citizens

SAO PAULO, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- A Brazilian judge announced Wednesday U.S. citizens will be fingerprinted and photographed upon entering Brazil.

Judge Julier Sebastiao da Silva was reacting to U.S. plans to do the same to Brazilians entering the United States, the BBC reported.

He made the order after a Brazilian government office filed a complaint in a federal court over new U.S. immigration measures.

As of Jan. 5, travelers from all countries needing a visa to enter the United States will be fingerprinted and photographed.

"I consider the act absolutely brutal, threatening human rights, violating human dignity, xenophobic and worthy of the worst horrors committed by the Nazis," da Silva said in the court order.

The new security measures will come into effect Jan. 1 unless the ruling is challenged by Brazil's justice system.

Washington's new rules are part of increased anti-terrorism measures, the BBC said.