An amendment to existing DHS regulations will allow the U.S. Customs and Border Protection the right to collect biometrics from all non–citizens travelling in and out of the United States.
Advancing towards a fully operational biometric entry/exit system across all U.S. ports of entry, the Final Rule, titled “Collection of Biometric Data from Aliens Upon Entry to and Departure from the United States,” will take effect on December 26.
Previous exemptions, including those for diplomats and most Canadian travellers, will be lifted and biometric collection will be expanded with increased funding to support new travel modalities, for example completing vehicle entry/exit, at sea border crossings and for private aircraft.
DHS is accepting public comments on the rule through Nov. 26.
Diane J. Sabatino, Acting Executive Assistant Commissioner of CBP’s Office of Field Operations said, “this final rule marks a major milestone toward our efforts to successfully implement the Biometric Entry/Exit mandate and strengthen the security of the United States”.
For over two decades, the biometric mandate has grown stronger turning into the entry/exit system we see deployed today. A call from President Trump in early 2017 expedited the delivery of the system triggering DHS responses to Congress.
A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking followed in 2020, proposing mandatory facial biometric collection for all non-citizens and the expansion of pilot programmes.
Multiple federal laws, especially in response to the events of 9/11, have long called for a robust biometric entry/exit capability, which lead to CBP building the Traveller Verification Service, a secure, cloud-based facial-matching platform that automates identity verification and reduces administrative burdens on officers.
The technology adds a layer of fortified security by helping to detect fraudulent documents, track overstays, and stop individuals attempting to enter the country illegally.
U.S. citizens are not subject to mandatory biometric processing. They may opt in to the facial-recognition process or decline by notifying a CBP officer or airline representative, after which they will undergo standard passport inspection.
DHS has published more than 10 Privacy Impact Assessments addressing data collection, storage, use, and deletion. According to the agency, photographs of U.S. citizens are deleted within 12 hours, while images of noncitizens are stored in the DHS Biometric Identity Management System for up to 75 years, consistent with federal records requirements.
The DHS’s final rule on Biometric Entry/Exit is a major policy driver for the global seamless travel agenda. Identity Week America 2026 is proud to welcome Diane J. Sabatino as the opening keynote, setting the agenda to focus in on seamless travel innovation, biometric security, and secure physical and digital identities.
