EU leaders plan more stringent border security

European Union leaders have directed their countries’ governments to step up security measures at border crossings, including the fingerprinting of all foreign visitors and putting in place other steps to keep illegal immigrants out of the region.

The measures under consideration are similar to those that have been put in place in the US, and are already prompting concerns regarding privacy and refugee rights. EU leaders have remained steadfast in asserting that security is paramount.

At the recent EU summit, the leaders agreed that putting in place a common border security and immigration policy in Europe by 2010 “is a key priority for citizens.” The leaders consider reaching an agreement at the top of the political agenda.

In a declaration last week, the EU leaders instructed their governments to prepare draft legislation to strengthen border security to help pave the way toward more uniform immigration and asylum policies across Europe.

The new measures would include screening and fingerprinting of all visitors who enter any European Union member country and utilising a satellite system to prevent entry by illegal immigrants.

All visitors would undergo screening, including those who require visas to enter the EU, and those who do not.

Foreign tourists that were interviewed along Paris’s Champs-Elysees didn’t seem all that disturbed by the prospect, understanding that the measures were part of a world-wide concern about security.

“I’m all right with fingerprinting, since I suppose it will enhance safety,” commented Gary Gordon, a lawyer from Michigan in the US.

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