The US Department of Homeland Security («DHS») has proposed to establish an exit program at all air and sea ports of departure in the United States. This proposed rule would require foreign nationals who submit biometric information upon entering the US to also provide biometric information to commercial air and vessel carriers before departing from the United States at air and sea ports of entry.

Under the proposed rule, the biometric information will be collected by the air and sea carriers transmitted to DHS no later than 24 hours after air carrier staff secure the aircraft doors on an international departure, or for sea travel, no later than 24 hours after the vessel’s departure from a U.S. port. DHS does not propose to apply these requirements to persons departing the United States on certain private carriers or small carriers.

The DHS is seeking comments on the proposed rule. Full text can be accessed at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-8956.pdf