US Airports Now Enforce Facial Recognition for All Non-Citizen Travelers
The United States officially began requiring facial biometric data collection from all non-citizen travelers entering and exiting the country on December 26, marking a meaningful expansion of border security measures. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) asserts the policy is designed to combat visa fraud, identify criminal activity, detect overstays, and prevent unlawful re-entries.
The new rule, implemented by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), applies to nearly all international visitors. Previous exemptions for diplomats and most Canadian citizens have been eliminated. According to CBP data, facial biometric comparison technology was already in use at 238 airports prior to today’s nationwide rollout.
“This final rule marks a major milestone towards our efforts to successfully implement the Biometric Entry/Exit mandate and strengthen the security of the United States,” stated Diane J. Sabatino, the acting executive assistant commissioner of CBP’s field operations office. She further indicated that increased funding would be allocated to “expand facial biometrics and advanced technology for identity verification to further secure and innovate the entry/exit process at air, land, and sea.”
The policy comes into effect during a particularly busy travel period, with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) anticipating over 44 million travelers will pass through US airports between December 19 and January 4. December 28 is projected to be one of the busiest days, with nearly 2.9 million passengers expected.
While the focus is on facial recognition, CBP will continue to collect fingerprints from incoming travelers at every inspection booth. However, the new rule has sparked concerns regarding privacy, data security, and potential for misuse.
In a letter sent to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem last Friday, Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke, joined by 49 other lawmakers including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Jasmine Crockett, voiced these concerns. “Biometric identifiers are permanent and cannot be changed if compromised, making the risks of misuse or breach uniquely severe, irreversible, and lifelong,” the letter read.
A lawyer with the Electronic Privacy Information Center cautioned that “the ease of implementation is what, in part, makes facial recognition such a perilous technology to implement at such a broad scale,” expressing worry that the government may seek to broaden its application.
US citizens are not required to participate in the facial biometrics program, but have the option to opt-in. Those who choose not to participate can request a manual passport check from a CBP officer or airline representative. 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.
The implementation of this system builds on a foundation laid in 2017, when then-President Donald Trump signed an executive order calling for an “expedited” biometric entry-exit system. Three years later, the DHS proposed a rule mandating facial biometric scans for all foreign nationals, a proposal now realized.
Looking ahead, the DHS is also considering a proposal, posted on December 10, that could require tourists to provide a five-year record of their social media history, along with email addresses, phone numbers, and family member information. Biometric data, including face, fingerprint, DNA, and iris scans, are also mentioned as potential requirements. The public has until February 9, 2026, to submit comments on this proposal. .
The expansion of biometric data
