The Straits Times 
17 October 2013

Updating fingerprints may not help: ICA

WE THANK Mr Jairam Amrith for his suggestion ("Issue updated ICs to senior citizens"; Oct 3).

As the border security agency, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has in place stringent and robust checks at the checkpoints.

Any traveller who encounters fingerprint match failure when using the automated clearance lanes will be referred to ICA officers for further checks and verification.

A person's suitability to use the automated lanes is determined by the quality of his fingerprints, among other factors.

Our experience shows that less than 1 per cent of eligible users face difficulties when using the automated clearance lanes, as they may have fading, or excessively wet or dry fingerprints.

In such cases, updating their fingerprints in the database will not be useful, as the users may still encounter the same problem at the automated clearance lanes due to the quality of their fingerprints.

Travellers who encounter problems with fingerprint verification at automated clearance lanes may approach our officers for assistance at any of our checkpoints.

Serene Wong (Ms)

Deputy Head, Public & Internal Communications

Corporate Communications Division

Immigration & Checkpoints Authority

 

 

<Original Letter>
The Straits Times
3 October 2013

Issue updated ICs to senior citizens

I AM a senior citizen who is unable to use the automated clearance lanes at Changi Airport because my thumbprint does not match the one on my identity card ("Biometric screening for more travellers at Woodlands"; yesterday).

I have no choice but to join the queues at manned counters.

Can the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority consider issuing new ICs with updated thumbprints to senior citizens at a nominal charge?

Jairam Amrith