Biometric Entry: US to Record Facial Images of All Foreign Travelers Starting in December

The United States is implementing a significant new rule: starting on December 26, all non-US citizens will be required to have their photographs taken upon entering or exiting the country at land borders and airports. This move expands the long-standing biometric facial recognition system used by the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

The system has been in use for nearly a decade, matching travelers’ faces against their passport photos. Under the new rule, this photo collection is being expanded to all international US airports. There have been previous reports, such as those involving Canadian travelers, who were photographed by officers at the airport without explanation.

A CBP spokesperson stated that the plan fulfills a Congressional mandate to biometrically record foreign nationals entering and exiting the US. This measure is “about enhancing security and enforcing immigration laws.”

Data Privacy Concerns: Authorities may retain these images for up to 75 years. While facial recognition technology is becoming more common globally, experts raise serious data privacy concerns, particularly regarding the potential for misuse.

The rule officially takes effect on December 26, though full implementation is expected to take several years.

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