Dear Mr Brown:

Do you think that the collection of biometrics is an invasion of privacy? My wife from India does not have to submit biometrics, yet as a Jamaican, I am required to do so. I think that is discriminatory. Does Canada think that all Jamaicans are criminals?

— DAM

Dear DAM:

The use of biometrics is for national security matters. Biometrics can involve a series of physiological measures, including fingerprinting, voice and facial recognition, hand geometry, iris recognition, and retinal scans. The use of biometrics is more reliable than the use of photo identification. The fingerprints and photos will give Canadian authorities more tools to verify the identity of those entering the country and to detect forged passports or other documents.

Expansion of the Use of biometrics

Once updated laws and regulations are in effect, the federal government of Canada is expanding biometric screening to all foreign travellers entering Canada who require a visa from the 29 countries that are already required to undergo biometric security checks to approximately 150 countries.

All foreign nationals who apply for work permit, study permit or permanent residence will be affected, excluding citizens of the United States. Exemptions include those under 14 or over 80 years of age, as well as diplomats. The biometric data will be stored for 15 years.

Collection of data

As Jamaica already experiences, applicants must allow their fingerprints and photos to be taken at overseas visa-application centres, and when they arrive in Canada, a Border Services Agency officer will verify that they are same people who applied for the visa. Visa applicants’ fingerprints are searched against the fingerprint database of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police for previous immigration applicants, refugee claimants, Canadian criminal records and deportees. Collected fingerprints will be shared and matched against databases in the US, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.

Rationale

The stated rationale for the expanded collection of biometrics is the protection of Canada from threats like terrorism. The biometric screening measures may also be used to prevent fraudulent refugee claims, organised crime, human trafficking, and foreigners convicted of crimes in Canada who attempt to return after being deported.

The Canadian government has stated that the biometric screening measures that were in place since 2013 have assisted in identifying:

* Approximately 300 individuals seeking asylum in Canada who had already claimed asylum in the United States;

* Approximately 750 individuals who were fingerprinted by US authorities for law-enforcement reasons; and

* Approximately 600 people who had significant discrepancies in their identity information.

In response to your question, there are privacy concerns. However, the pith and substance of measures pertains to security. There is always a proper balance that has to be maintained. The fact is, not all foreign nationals require visas to enter Canada and thus, the measure should not necessarily be viewed as discriminatory, nor should Jamaicans feel singled-out. In fact, Canada is catching up in terms of measures that were implemented in several other countries.

Please visit jamaica2canada.com for additional information on Canadian Permanent Residence Programmes, including Express Entry, the Study and Work programme, visitor’s visas or appeals.

Antonn Brown, BA, (Hons), LLB, MSc, RCIC, is an immigration counsel, education agent and managing director of jamaica2canada.com — a Canadian immigration and education firm in Kingston. Send questions/comments to jamaica2canada@gmail.com.