WASHINGTON ( CNN ) -- The Department of Homeland Security is now collecting scans of all 10 fingerprints from foreign travelers entering the United States at Dulles International Airport , and plans to extend the program to all international airports in the country by the end of next year . The program -- known as United States Visitor and Immigration Status Indicator Technology , or US-VISIT -- had previously used only two fingerprints . The 10-print system gives the United States the ability to compare fingerprints of travelers with criminal and terrorist databases compiled by the FBI , the Defense Department and others . The new 10-print system was rolled out in late November at Dulles . Speaking at an event at the airport Monday , DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff touted the new technology : `` We rely on biometrics , unique physical characteristics like fingerprints , to keep dangerous people out of the United States and at the same time to keep the lines moving so that travel is fast and convenient for legitimate citizens and visitors . '' Chertoff said the two-fingerprint version of the program , which began in 2004 , has already been successful , claiming that the program had stopped `` almost 2,000 criminals and immigrant violators based on their fingerprints alone . '' Canadians and Mexicans using government-issued identification cards are exempt from the program . Privacy advocates such as the Electronic Privacy Information Center claim the system puts personal information at risk . A July 2007 Government Accountability Office report found that `` systems supporting the US-VISIT program have significant information security control weaknesses that place sensitive and personally identifiable information at increased risk of unauthorized and possibly undetected disclosure and modification , misuse and destruction . '' DHS insists that there have been no privacy breaches in the US-VISIT program . Chertoff played down risks . `` Moving to 10 fingerprints is completely consistent with , and in fact enhances , our ability to protect , '' he said . `` We view privacy as a fundamental human right and preserving it is an integral part of our mission . '' Travel and tourism groups fear that more barriers to international travel will make foreigners less likely to visit the United States . Discover America Partnership , a trade group representing the tourism industry , is cautiously supporting the program , but urges a greater effort by the United States to make foreign travelers aware of the program . `` While reasonable , we must also recognize that the 10-finger scan technology may be perceived as a barrier to entry , '' said Geoff Freeman , executive director of Discover America Partnership , in a news release . `` We must balance this and other barriers with clear communications and a welcoming message . '' E-mail to a friend .
The new 10-print system was rolled out in late November at Dulles . The program , known as E - VISIT , had previously used only human operators . The new policy would apply to all international airports late in December .