Eczema on Fingers - problem with US entry?
Sep 20, 2005 | 1:18 pm
#1
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Eczema on Fingers - problem with US entry?
Don't know whether any of you suffer with this, but I'm worried about entering the U.S. since they've introduced the finger printing. I suffer from Eczema on my hands and my fingers are scarred with cracks and wrinkles from previous damage. I also have a flare up on my left hand which means the skin is damaged, cracked and flaking. Probably the wrong forum for this question, but thought I'd post anyway. Thanks. Sue
Sep 20, 2005 | 1:31 pm
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Originally Posted by sueoverend
Don't know whether any of you suffer with this, but I'm worried about entering the U.S. since they've introduced the finger printing. I suffer from Eczema on my hands and my fingers are scarred with cracks and wrinkles from previous damage. I also have a flare up on my left hand which means the skin is damaged, cracked and flaking. Probably the wrong forum for this question, but thought I'd post anyway. Thanks. Sue
My hands still bare the scares of it including my index fingers which are used for the finger printing. The system seems to read mine with no probs. I wouldn't imagine any problems - I never had it where my finger prints actually are located, more on the tops of my fingers.
I am sure they have come across this problem already, maybe your middle finger could be used instead. However, they must offer alternatives, as of course, some may not have hands.
Knowhere have I ever read it say you must have fingers to enter the US. So I wouldn't worry.
Sep 20, 2005 | 1:40 pm
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Originally Posted by flyclub
Knowhere have I ever read it say you must have fingers to enter the US. So I wouldn't worry.
Every time he sent in his forms with his fingerprints, they were sent straight back because he'd not supplied all 10 prints required. No matter who he spoke to, or what he did, his application was rejected...
Sep 20, 2005 | 2:45 pm
#5
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Originally Posted by Lounge Suit Larry
Actually, there is a Bill Bryson tale where he relates one of the more stupid aspects to US Bureaucracy...a man who married an American lady and tried for years (and is, probably, still trying) to get his green card, social security number et al. In short, to become an American citizen. The poor guy had only seven fingers (1 thumb and 2 fingers lost in an industrial accident).
Every time he sent in his forms with his fingerprints, they were sent straight back because he'd not supplied all 10 prints required. No matter who he spoke to, or what he did, his application was rejected...
Every time he sent in his forms with his fingerprints, they were sent straight back because he'd not supplied all 10 prints required. No matter who he spoke to, or what he did, his application was rejected...
I'll keep my horrible fingers crossed.
Unfortunately, I think my prints are pretty damaged. Do they re fingerprint you on the way out? If they do mine may have changed due to itching and weeping! I'm going to really try and get this under control before we go - but it's aggrevated by stress, and I'm stressed about it!! Sue
Sep 20, 2005 | 2:54 pm
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My brother has pretty bad eczema that is visible on his hands, arms and forehead and he had no trouble getting into the States on 2 occasions this year. 
Sep 20, 2005 | 2:54 pm
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Originally Posted by sueoverend
Do they re fingerprint you on the way out? If they do mine may have changed due to itching and weeping!
Sep 20, 2005 | 3:30 pm
#8
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Originally Posted by House
No. There are plans to start scanning on exit, but even then it is merely to take a record, not to do a direct comparison. I really don't think this will be a problem for you.
Other airports:
Originally Posted by dhs website
US VISIT Exit procedures are being tested at the following airports:
Baltimore/Washington International
Chicago OHare International
Dallas/Fort Worth International
Denver International
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County International
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International
Luis Muoz Marin International in San Juan, Puerto Rico
Newark Liberty International
Philadelphia International
San Francisco International
Seattle-Tacoma International
Baltimore/Washington International
Chicago OHare International
Dallas/Fort Worth International
Denver International
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County International
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International
Luis Muoz Marin International in San Juan, Puerto Rico
Newark Liberty International
Philadelphia International
San Francisco International
Seattle-Tacoma International
Sep 20, 2005 | 3:34 pm
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Originally Posted by timthorn
There are self-service exit scans at PHL, at least if you have a visa.
Other airports:
Other airports:
The airline needs to get the flight out on time and the machines are often in less than entirely obvious locations! I have only seen them insist with passengers on visas. This is (and remains) a trial programme only.
Sep 20, 2005 | 3:37 pm
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Originally Posted by House
The airline needs to get the flight out on time and the machines are often in less than entirely obvious locations! I have only seen them insist with passengers on visas. This is (and remains) a trial programme only.
Sep 20, 2005 | 4:20 pm
#11
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An interesting observation re INS here - on my last trip to the US, which was the first since scanning came in and my first on the new passport - the agent asked me when I was last in the US. I got this wrong (forgot about a trip in March '04) but he obviously couldn't tell.
Suspect therefore that the database looks at..
1) Passport data (name, DOB, passport #)
2) Your photo
3) Your fingerprints
Sue - don't worry about it! The first trip will be fine and then on any subsequent trips they'll have your photo in the database against the name etc. As others have stated, a genuine inability to read the prints will have been accounted for and many folk in similar situations must have already visited the US...
Suspect therefore that the database looks at..
1) Passport data (name, DOB, passport #)
2) Your photo
3) Your fingerprints
Sue - don't worry about it! The first trip will be fine and then on any subsequent trips they'll have your photo in the database against the name etc. As others have stated, a genuine inability to read the prints will have been accounted for and many folk in similar situations must have already visited the US...
Sep 20, 2005 | 6:25 pm
#12
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Originally Posted by sueoverend
Don't know whether any of you suffer with this, but I'm worried about entering the U.S. since they've introduced the finger printing. I suffer from Eczema on my hands and my fingers are scarred with cracks and wrinkles from previous damage. I also have a flare up on my left hand which means the skin is damaged, cracked and flaking. Probably the wrong forum for this question, but thought I'd post anyway. Thanks. Sue
theres something here called the Americans with Disabilites Act- applies to anyone on U.S. soil- thanks to our constitution. anyway, sometimes just uttering those 3 words- Americans with Disabilites Act will make sh*t move, thats how scary it is to be in violation. Any problems, that's worth a try.
Sep 21, 2005 | 1:22 am
#13
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Originally Posted by marbles dad
theres something here called the Americans with Disabilites Act- applies to anyone on U.S. soil- thanks to our constitution. anyway, sometimes just uttering those 3 words- Americans with Disabilites Act will make sh*t move, thats how scary it is to be in violation. Any problems, that's worth a try.
Sep 21, 2005 | 2:57 am
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Originally Posted by marbles dad
theres something here called the Americans with Disabilites Act- applies to anyone on U.S. soil- thanks to our constitution. anyway, sometimes just uttering those 3 words- Americans with Disabilites Act will make sh*t move, thats how scary it is to be in violation. Any problems, that's worth a try.
However, people arriving in the US are technically made to sign their rights away (including the right to an appeal!) when they sign the green I94W forms that you will see non-US citizens from visa-waiver countries carrying around.
I have never seen or heard of anyone I know encountering problems that would make them want to appeal (apart from the famous example of Cat Stevens!).
Sep 22, 2005 | 5:38 am
#15
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My partner has exzema very similar to how you've described yours and has entered the USA 3 times within the past year without ever encountering a problem, or it even being raised as an issue.
Hoping to reassure you, I will stress that the exzema on his fingers and hands is rather severe, enough to need a medicated wipe afterwards to stop him from picking up something nasty from the ink.
Hoping to reassure you, I will stress that the exzema on his fingers and hands is rather severe, enough to need a medicated wipe afterwards to stop him from picking up something nasty from the ink.