The U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency at the Paso Del Norte Mexican border crossing in El Paso, Texas has begun work on a system that would see the use of biometrics to help wait times for those entering the states on foot, according to an Imperial Valley News article.

The new system, which will rely on fingerprint-based biometrics and RFID readers with Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative compliant documents, is being designed to automate all processing of individuals leading to a more efficient procedure.

In addition to streamlining processes for Border Protection officers, the new system is expected to give CPB a higher confidence in positive identification which they are hopeful will become an important tool in their interest in stopping suspected terrorists or wanted criminals from walking into the U.S. without problems.

A pilot of the new system is scheduled to begin in November 2011 in three of the existing pedestrian lanes at the Paso Del Norte.

Read the full story here.