Reuters
US pilot detained in Brazil in fingerprinting spat
Wednesday January 14, 1:38 pm ET
By Todd Benson
SAO PAULO, Brazil, Jan 14 (Reuters) - An American Airlines pilot was arrested
at Sao Paulo International Airport on Wednesday after making an obscene gesture
while being photographed by Brazilian immigration officers, police said.
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The pilot, identified as Dale Robin Hirsch, raised his middle finger at police
to protest new Brazilian security measures that require U.S. citizens to be
fingerprinted and photographed upon entering the South American country.
Brazil implemented the policy on Jan. 1 in retaliation for a similar U.S.
program that requires those foreign visitors who need visas to have their
fingerprints and pictures taken on arrival in the United States.
"He made an internationally known obscene gesture when he was being
photographed by the Federal Police," Federal Police agent Wagner Castilho told
Reuters. He said the other crew members were denied entry after refusing to
cooperate with security officials.
The incident came just one day after Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da
Silva personally appealed to U.S. President George W. Bush to suspend visa
requirements for each other's nationals and thus fingerprint checks.
Lula's request was expected to fall on deaf ears in Washington. Brazilians are
among the top groups of illegal immigrants detained in the United States.
Castilho said the pilot will be charged with disobeying authority. A judge will
decide whether Hirsch, 52, will be deported or tried in Brazil, Castilho added.
The remaining 11 members of the Miami-based crew were expected to be returned
to the United States.
A spokesman in Sao Paulo for American Airlines (NYSE:AMR - News) said the
carrier "respects the laws of the countries in which it operates," but declined
further comment.
U.S. citizens have been subject to long lines at Brazilian airports since the
new security measures were implemented, prompting Secretary of State Colin
Powell to complain that Americans were being discriminated against.
Eager to speed up the process, Brazil on Wednesday rushed to gather digital
fingerprint readers from police stations across the country. Officials said
they will be ready by Thursday to register U.S. visitors in "30 seconds" rather
than the hours it takes with an inkpad.
With Rio de Janeiro's famous Carnival coming in February, the city is worried
about the impact on tourism. It has taken to handing out roses and "Rio Loves
You" T-shirts to U.S. visitors and on Wednesday laid on hip-wriggling Samba
dancers at its airport arrival gate.
(Additional reporting by Andrew Hay in Brasilia)
US pilot detained in Brazil in fingerprinting spat
Wednesday January 14, 1:38 pm ET
By Todd Benson
SAO PAULO, Brazil, Jan 14 (Reuters) - An American Airlines pilot was arrested
at Sao Paulo International Airport on Wednesday after making an obscene gesture
while being photographed by Brazilian immigration officers, police said.
ADVERTISEMENT
The pilot, identified as Dale Robin Hirsch, raised his middle finger at police
to protest new Brazilian security measures that require U.S. citizens to be
fingerprinted and photographed upon entering the South American country.
Brazil implemented the policy on Jan. 1 in retaliation for a similar U.S.
program that requires those foreign visitors who need visas to have their
fingerprints and pictures taken on arrival in the United States.
"He made an internationally known obscene gesture when he was being
photographed by the Federal Police," Federal Police agent Wagner Castilho told
Reuters. He said the other crew members were denied entry after refusing to
cooperate with security officials.
The incident came just one day after Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da
Silva personally appealed to U.S. President George W. Bush to suspend visa
requirements for each other's nationals and thus fingerprint checks.
Lula's request was expected to fall on deaf ears in Washington. Brazilians are
among the top groups of illegal immigrants detained in the United States.
Castilho said the pilot will be charged with disobeying authority. A judge will
decide whether Hirsch, 52, will be deported or tried in Brazil, Castilho added.
The remaining 11 members of the Miami-based crew were expected to be returned
to the United States.
A spokesman in Sao Paulo for American Airlines (NYSE:AMR - News) said the
carrier "respects the laws of the countries in which it operates," but declined
further comment.
U.S. citizens have been subject to long lines at Brazilian airports since the
new security measures were implemented, prompting Secretary of State Colin
Powell to complain that Americans were being discriminated against.
Eager to speed up the process, Brazil on Wednesday rushed to gather digital
fingerprint readers from police stations across the country. Officials said
they will be ready by Thursday to register U.S. visitors in "30 seconds" rather
than the hours it takes with an inkpad.
With Rio de Janeiro's famous Carnival coming in February, the city is worried
about the impact on tourism. It has taken to handing out roses and "Rio Loves
You" T-shirts to U.S. visitors and on Wednesday laid on hip-wriggling Samba
dancers at its airport arrival gate.
(Additional reporting by Andrew Hay in Brasilia)