São Paulo, January 2, 2004 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Since Thursday (1), all US citizens arriving at the São Paulo International Airport, in Guarulhos, are being submitted to the new identification system adopted by the Federal Police (PF), in compliance with a judicial order emitted by Judge Julier Sebastião da Silva, of the First Federal Court of Mato Grosso.

The measure constitutes a reciprocal action to the treatment received by Brazilians who disembark in the United States. That is, passengers must allow themselves to be photographed, as well as being fingerprinted. According to the Federal Police, 230 US citizens have already gone through the Guarulhos airport terminal.

Also according to the PF, the passengers' initial reaction is one of consternation, but the police officers explain that Brazilians are being submitted to the same procedures in American territory. (DAS)