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CBP announces facial recognition technology at ports of entry

  1. Original Date Announced

    September 24, 2018

    On September 24, 2018, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced that a facial comparison technical demonstration will begin at the San Luis Port of Entry in Arizona for pedestrian travelers. CBP will deploy a facial comparison system comprised of a camera to test and evaluate taking photographs of pedestrians entering the United States and comparing those images to the photos associated with travel documents travelers present. This technical demonstration will help inform the agency on next steps to developing and implementing biometric entry/exit in the land border pedestrian environment. [ID #920]

    CBP to Implement a Facial Comparison Technical Demonstration at the Port of San Luis for Pedestrian Travelers
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  3. Biden Administration Action: Modified

    May 25, 2021

    CBP Expands Simplified Arrival at El Paso, Presidio, Fort Hancock, Tornillo, Santa Teresa and Columbus ports of entry

    This Biden administration policy modifies the Trump-era policy identified in this entry.

    On May 25, 2021, CBP issued a media release announcing the expansion of Simplified Arrival – an "enhanced international arrival process that uses biometric facial comparison technology to automate . . . manual document checks . . . required for admission into the United States" – at the El Paso, Presidio, Fort Hancock, Tornillo, Santa Teresa, and Columbus ports of entry.

    Go to article on cbp.gov

Current Status

Fully in Effect

Most Recent Action

May 25, 2021 Action: Modified CBP Expands Simplified Arrival at El Paso, Presidio, Fort Hancock, Tornillo, Santa Teresa and Columbus ports of entry
May 25, 2021
Acted on by Biden Administration

Original Trump Policy Status

Status: Final/Actual
Trump Administration Action: Forms and Information Collection
Subject Matter: Enforcement
Agencies Affected: CBP

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