Later biometrics deadline sought

The Homeland Security and State departments asked Congress for a two-year extension of an October deadline by which 27 countries were to provide biometric passports to citizens traveling to the United States.

The 27 countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program are experiencing technical difficulties producing the travel documents, according to the Bush administration.

In the interim, the administration plans to enroll travelers from the 27 countries in the U.S. Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator System Technology biometric database upon their arrival in the United States.