On January 5, a new program to track foreigners will be in place in all 115 U.S. airports that have international flights.

The program, called US-VISIT, or U.S. Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology, will check an estimated 24 million foreigners each year, though some will be repeat visitors. Inkless fingerprints will be taken and checked instantly against a national database for criminal backgrounds and any terrorist lists, [U.S. Homeland Security spokesman Bill ] Strassberger said. The process will be repeated when the foreigners leave the country as an extra security measure and to ensure they complied with visa limitations.

Strassberger said once screeners become proficient, the extra security will take only 10 to 15 seconds per person. Foreign travelers will also continue to pass through Customs points and answer questions. Photographs will be used to help create a database for law enforcement.

The ACLU is reserving judgment until it has more details as to how the progam will work.