EU to tighten border security measures

EU leaders have agreed that they want foreign visitors to their countries to be fingerprinted on entry and to take other measures to deter illegal immigrants, in a security overhaul that was proposed earlier in the week.

These measures are similar to ones that have already been implemented by the US, and have raised concerns in Europe about privacy issues and the rights of those refugees seeking asylum. EU leaders have countered that security is paramount.

At their summit, EU leaders agreed that establishing common border and immigration policies by 2010 “is a key priority for citizens” and elevated their efforts to come to an agreement to the top of the agenda.

In a joint declaration, the nations’ leaders charged their governments with drafting legislation that would create border security measures aimed at preparing the way for a more seamless overall immigration and asylum policy.

The measures would include screening and fingerprinting of all visitors who cross EU borders and the use a satellite system to deter illegal immigration.

Screening would be universally applied, including those who require a visa to enter the EU, such as nationals from most African countries, and also those who do not, such as US nationals.

Foreign visitors to Paris didn’t seem all that concerned about the proposed measures.

“I’m all right with fingerprinting, since I suppose it will enhance safety,” commented Gary Gordon, a Lansing, Michigan attorney.

Bridget Schmidt, a teacher from Florida, indicated she had “no problem” with the fingerprinting requirement, but added, “I don’t feel any safer in the United States because they fingerprint people.”