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POSTED: Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2008

Latest ID technology unveiled at Blaine border crossing

BLAINE - In anticipation of heavy border traffic for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, B.C., border officials unveiled new technology Tuesday, Nov. 18, that should speed people's return to the U.S. from Canada.

The technology, known as radio frequency identification, allows travelers with special ID cards embedded with radio chips to hold them up to a reader in one of the crossings' lanes.

This transmits their profiles, including photos, and other basic information, to an officer's computer screen. The information includes cross-checks with various criminal databases.

While allowing for quicker crossings, the technology doesn't sacrifice security, said Michele James, the director of field operations for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Seattle office.

Travelers will still have a face-to-face inspection with officers before crossing. The new technology allows these officers to process travelers' information faster, James said.

Travelers can get three forms of ID with these special radio tags - an enhanced Washington state driver's license, a NEXUS trusted-traveler card or a U.S. passport card.

By June 2009, all U.S. travelers must have one of these cards or a passport to return to the U.S. - by land or sea - from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean or Bermuda.

Washington state residents who get enhanced licenses shouldn't worry that their personal information could be gleaned if their cards are scanned without their knowledge, said Liz Luce, director of the state Department of Licensing.

All enhanced licenses come with a plastic sleeve lined with foil, and so long as the card is in that sleeve it can't be scanned, Luce said.

Also, the cards only provide a serial number when scanned. To get any personal information, that number must be plugged into a secure Customs and Border Protection database, Luce said.