US/Can entry and exit passport scanning plan
Don't get me wrong, this is not something I look forward to but, I thought all US and Canadian citizens would have their passports scanned entering and exiting the respective countries starting July 1...
Forum Discussion
The amount of information sharing that goes on now is almost total from my understanding. That combined with face recognition software in use, by both countries doesn't leave much to the imagination of either side of the border. It never ceases to amaze me the questions I get asked from time to time by both. Both my previous employment situations, the trips I have made outside the US, and the list goes on and on. One time I was asked by the Canadian side, why I had been stopped on the high seas by the BDF? (Bahamian Defense Force) Of course the real answer as to why I stopped was that they were armed with automatic weapons and I wasn't. LOL But I gave the polite answer of, just a routine stop and search and sent on my way of sailing.
Customs and Immigrations, have the best data of any of the agencies, from my personal experience. With all today's technology being used by most of us, from our cell phone calls, credit card use, emails, air line tickets, etc. there isn't much private anymore and hasn't been for some time. They can tell how long I have been in Canada, by most of these ways. Just look at the dates and locations where I used my credit card to buy fuel or food.
I can't remember the last time my passport was not scanned, along with my wife's. A couple of trips back, the border agent asked my wife, sitting in the passenger seat, to remove her sunglasses and to lean forward. She did and asked why? He told her he needed to get a better look and I pointed out to her, the small camera mounted behind him that was adding/comparing, her to the face recognition software data base.
I know both sides have access to the same data base for just after 9-11, the lines coming into the US got way too long, so the US requested assistance from Canada. Canada agreed to help out, so for a week or so, many people cleared into the US were cleared by Canadian officers, in Canadian uniforms, enforcing US rules, regulations and laws. Both side know the laws of both countries and have access to the same information.
Customs and Immigrations, have the best data of any of the agencies, from my personal experience. With all today's technology being used by most of us, from our cell phone calls, credit card use, emails, air line tickets, etc. there isn't much private anymore and hasn't been for some time. They can tell how long I have been in Canada, by most of these ways. Just look at the dates and locations where I used my credit card to buy fuel or food.
I can't remember the last time my passport was not scanned, along with my wife's. A couple of trips back, the border agent asked my wife, sitting in the passenger seat, to remove her sunglasses and to lean forward. She did and asked why? He told her he needed to get a better look and I pointed out to her, the small camera mounted behind him that was adding/comparing, her to the face recognition software data base.
I know both sides have access to the same data base for just after 9-11, the lines coming into the US got way too long, so the US requested assistance from Canada. Canada agreed to help out, so for a week or so, many people cleared into the US were cleared by Canadian officers, in Canadian uniforms, enforcing US rules, regulations and laws. Both side know the laws of both countries and have access to the same information.
