The United States and Chile have signed a new letter of intent to continue the Biometric Identification Transnational Migration Alert Program (BITMAP), an information sharing system aimed at improving security for both countries.
“Data sharing benefits everyone – except bad actors who wish to do us and our people harm,” said U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem in a statement. “Today, we kick-started a Biometric Identification Transnational Migration Alert Program (BITMAP) to help both nations better track criminals, terrorists, other dangerous individuals who try to cross our borders and do us harm. America, Chile, and the entire western hemisphere will be safer because of these efforts.”
Biometric data is considered important for vetting and tracking individuals who may pose security threats. The United States provided training to Chilean law enforcement on a BITMAP pilot program earlier this year.
The agreement signed today is described as a step toward a full partnership between the two nations. Once fully implemented, BITMAP will allow for increased cooperation in identifying transnational criminals, terrorists, and high-risk individuals attempting to enter the United States.
Chilean officials will now be able to identify potentially dangerous persons among illegal third-country nationals before they travel to the U.S., as well as use BITMAP technology in prisons to vet prisoners and detainees.
