Travel to the U.S. Becomes a Headache: New Rules Will Subject Foreign Visitors to Hours of Airport Screening

Washington, D.C.: Traveling to the United States is becoming increasingly challenging for foreign nationals, including Indian citizens. Reports indicate that at U.S. airports, international travelers are now being subjected to long hours of questioning and repeated screenings, even if they possess valid visas and documents. Many passengers have experienced delays of several hours, with some being denied entry altogether, making the journey to the U.S. a major source of stress.

Stricter Biometric Screening Planned
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is implementing new measures aimed at strengthening national security and preventing immigration fraud. Under the proposed system, foreign students, workers, and tourists will be required to provide extensive biometric data at both entry and exit points. In addition to fingerprints and photographs, authorities will collect voiceprints, iris scans, DNA samples, facial recognition images, and other sensitive data. This increased scrutiny is expected to significantly extend processing times at airports.

Impact on Travelers
Travelers report repeated secondary screenings and delays, even when all documentation is in order. DHS notes that extra screening may not always be linked to law enforcement databases; it can also result from travel patterns, random selection, or other operational factors. This has caused growing frustration among passengers seeking to enter the U.S.

DHS TRIP: A Resolution Mechanism
To address grievances, DHS has introduced the Travel Redress Inquiry Program (DHS TRIP). This program serves as a single point of contact for travelers who feel they have been unfairly detained, subjected to delays, or sent for additional screening. Through DHS TRIP, travelers can file complaints and request corrections to erroneous information in the DHS database.

Authorities advise that when applying for a visa, travelers must provide accurate and complete details about travel dates, destinations, passport information, and relevant events to avoid complications.

With these new rules, visiting the U.S. is expected to require more preparation, patience, and time, making travelers’ journeys increasingly rigorous.