...the machine readable passports that were promised over a year ago. The Ministry of Home Affairs today announced that early next year the ministry will begin to put the new system in place to replace all old passports with the new ones. The main feature is that the new documents can be read by standardized computers at immigration points worldwide. The Ministry says this new u.s. state department funded system will help in the control of illegal immigration but more importantly will help the U.S. with their fights against terrorism, immigrant smuggling and trafficking in persons. But don't rush to the passport office just yet. Replacing the old passports will take place in a phased programme. The system is being implemented in collaboration with the international organization of migration and is funded by the U.S. government.

Tags Ministry Of Home Affairs U.S. Government