EU to keep satellite surveillance on illegal immigrants

London, Feb 14 (UNI) The European Union will now track down illegal immigrants by satellite surveillance.

High-resolution satellite would keep an eye on remote borders of European countries, such as coastlines and mountains, for suspicious movements of people by boat or vehicle.

''This drastic step to tighten immigration control was needed to deter the mafia groups, traffickers, criminals and terrorists,'' Daily Mail quoted EU Justice Commissioner Franco Frattini as saying.

It would cover the EU's 'Schengen' passport-free zone, which was recently extended to include 24 countries. The non-EU foreigners visiting the Schengen travel zone would have to provide details, such as fingerprints, to record their points of entry and exit, and the length of allowed stay.

If approved, the system might be launched by 2015.

All visitors, including those who do not need a visa, would also have to seek electronic authorisation before booking flights to EU countries. They would also be checked against the EU watchlist.

UNI XC PD RAI1308