From today, the United States has implemented a significant expansion of its biometric border security measures, mandating the collection of facial recognition data from nearly all foreign nationals arriving at and departing from its airports.
A Major Milestone for Biometric Security
The new rule, which came into force on December 26, represents a decisive step in fulfilling a long-standing congressional mandate for a comprehensive biometric entry-exit system. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) states the policy is designed to curb visa fraud, identify criminals, detect immigration overstays, and prevent illegal re-entries.
Diane J. Sabatino, the acting executive assistant commissioner of US Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) field operations office, called it a "major milestone" in strengthening national security. She confirmed that increased funding would be used to expand facial biometrics and advanced identity verification technology across air, land, and sea ports of entry.
How the New System Works
Under the updated procedures, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will now collect facial biometric data from noncitizens both when they enter and when they leave the country. Previous exemptions for groups such as diplomats and most Canadian visitors have been removed as part of this change.
The DHS has designated facial comparison technology as the "best available method for biometric verification", praising it for being accurate, unobtrusive, and efficient. While the new rule focuses on facial scans, border officers will continue to collect fingerprints from incoming travellers, with every inspection booth equipped with a fingerprint reader.
US citizens are not required to participate but can opt into the facial biometrics programme. Those who decline, including eligible US citizens, must notify a CBP officer or airline representative to undergo a manual passport check instead.
Data Retention and Broader Proposals
The policy includes strict data retention protocols. Per the DHS, photos of US citizens are discarded within 12 hours, while images of noncitizens are stored in the agency's biometric identity management system for up to 75 years to serve as a confirmation of entry or departure.
This change arrives as the US braces for a hectic holiday travel season, with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) predicting over 44 million travellers will pass through airports between December 19 and January 4.
Looking ahead, a separate proposal posted on the Federal Register on December 10 suggests the US could soon ask tourists to provide a five-year record of their social media history, along with email addresses, phone numbers, and family member information, to gain entry.
The Path to Implementation
The push for an expanded biometric system dates back to a 2017 executive order signed by then-President Donald Trump. The DHS formally proposed the rule requiring facial scans for foreign nationals about three years later. Before today, CBP was only authorised to run limited pilot programmes at select air and sea ports.
The final rule, first announced on November 20, now establishes a uniform, nationwide framework. Biometric facial comparison technology is already in use to process travellers entering the US at 238 airports, but this marks the first comprehensive system for tracking departures.
