Direct access for the US to biometric databases in the EU

29.6.2022

Question for written answer  E-002332/2022
to the Council
Rule 138
Sophia in 't Veld (Renew)

In February 2022, the US Government sent a letter to the EU Member States and the Commission demanding direct access to biometric police databases in the EU, with the aim of facilitating the identification of individuals for the purpose of US immigration controls. By 2027, this will become mandatory under the US Visa Waiver Program, which allows EU citizens visa‑free entry into the US for 90 days. If Member States refuse to grant direct access to these databases with facial images and fingerprints, their citizens will be banned from travelling without a visa[1]. The US has frequently used the Visa Waiver Program to blackmail the EU into adopting certain policies.

Against this backdrop, I would like to ask the Council the following questions:

• 1.Can it confirm that the US made this demand and does it agree that the US threat to exclude EU citizens from visa‑free travel to the US if the Member States do not grant direct access to their biometric databases constitutes blackmail?
• 2.Which exact actions has it taken in response?
• 3.How will it prevent the US from gaining direct access to biometric databases in the EU?

• [1] ^{https://digit.site36.net/2022/06/22/enhanced-border-security-partnership-eu-states-consider-unprecedented-biometrics-agreement-with-u-s/}