Obama's Biometric Buildup: Have You Heard Of Global Entry?

03-09-2011 • usa.immigrationvisaforms.com & online.WSJ.com

So far, Global Entry enrollment has been slow—only about 1% of all people entering the U.S. by air use kiosks. Some people say they are reluctant to give information and fingerprints to the government, although some security-line programs, such as "Clear," attracted many more participants and required personal and biometric information. U.S. Customs says it hopes to have 100,000 people signed up by the end of the year, and notes that applications have recently been picking up. From a usual 3,000 to 4,000 per month, September had more than 10,000 applications and October saw 13,000. The agency has stepped up marketing efforts with signs at airports and pitches sent to frequent fliers by airlines. American Airlines, for example, recently emailed 400,000 customers who had taken at least four international trips in the past 12 months.