WASHINGTON, March 24 (UPI) -- The Bush administration wants Congress to grant countries that are part of a no-visa program either a waiver or extension to produce biometric passports.
"We believe none of the VWP (visa waiver program) countries will produce biometric passports by the Oct. 26, 2004, deadline in sufficient numbers to meet the legitimate needs of their traveling nationals," said a letter jointly written by U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell and Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge to Rep. James Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., chairman of the House Judiciary Committee.
The letter blamed the delay on inoperability and privacy issues, chip-durability concerns and production and procurement delays. The letter seeks a legislative extension up to December 2006, adding a failure to do so could affect the U.S. economy.
The countries that are part of the program include Britain, France and Germany.
