June 2, 2008 - Passengers traveling to the United States from countries whose citizens do not need visas must register online with the U.S. government at least 72 hours before departure, in the latest measure to strengthen American security.

The new rule is expected to be announced on Tuesday by Michael Chertoff, the Homeland Security secretary, and take effect in January.

European companies last year expressed concern after the Homeland Security department floated the idea of requiring passengers to register 48 hours in advance, believing it could complicate last-minute business travel. Although the new rule requires 72 hours advance registration, it will be valid for multiple entries over a two-year period.

The rule will only apply to citizens of the 27 visa waiver program countries, which include most of western Europe, in addition to Australia, Brunei, Japan, New Zealand and Singapore. The U.S. has signed agreements with eight other countries - including the Czech Republic, Hungary and South Korea - putting them on track to join the visa waiver program.

A Homeland Security official said the new measure would require the same information that passengers now have to include on the I-94 immigration form they must fill out before entering the U.S. He said Australia has been using a similar system for several years.

Passengers will be able to register in advance from August this year, but the rule will become mandatory in January. Registration will be possible through travel agents, airline websites or through a special U.S. government website.

The U.S. official said the system was created to make it more difficult for terrorists who are nationals of visa waiver countries to enter the U.S., mentioning Richard Reid, the UK “shoe bomber” convicted for trying to blow up an airliner. Zacarias Moussaoui, the French national who was convicted of involvement in the 9/11 attacks, entered the U.S. without a visa.

“History has shown that it is naive to assume a traveler from a [visa waiver] country automatically constitutes a lesser threat than a visa applicant who has undergone greater scrutiny prior to travel,” said the official. “There is also a concern about radicalization in Europe and that Europe could be a platform for striking at the U.S.”

Earlier this year, General Michael Hayden, director of the Central Intelligence Agency, warned that al-Qaeda was trying to recruit westerners as potential attackers because they would be able to blend into the U.S. Robert Mueller, director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, in April added that al-Qaeda realized that holders of European passports would have less difficulty entering the U.S.

Scott Stanzel, a White House spokesman, said President George W. Bush wanted to use modern technology to “improve the security regime for international travelers to the U.S.” while ensuring that “those who wish us harm can’t exploit the system.”

Susan Ginsburg, a senior staff member of the 9/11 Commission now at the Migration Policy Institute, welcomed the program, but expressed concern that the Homeland Security department had not conducted a pilot program.

“I am quite certain that having the information in advance will be important and helpful. But it is a question of whether it can be implemented smoothly and without the appearance of discrimination and without causing a choke point at the consular offices, and potentially at secondary [checks].”

The U.S. official said the government decided that a pilot run was not necessary because the program was not particularly complicated.

The U.S. originally intended to call the program ETA [electronic travel authorization] but chose ESTA after Spanish officials expressed reservations because of the Basque separatist group also known as Eta.

Mr. Chertoff on Monday spoke to Jacques Barrot, the European Union justice commissioner, ahead of the announcement. An EU official said Mr. Barrot requested further written information and documents, while the U.S. official said he appeared satisfied with the arrangement. Franco Frattini, Mr. Barrot’s predecessor, in February outlined plans for an EU pre-travel electronic authorization scheme for foreigners who do not need a visa for a short-term stay in the union.

Ed. Note:  At this point, why would anyone want to endure the intrusion, official disrespect, and lack of privacy in order to come to the United States?