Skip to main content

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
  2. Subsequent Trump and Court Action(s)

    • February 24, 2020

      CBP to Introduce Biometric Facial Comparison at Brownsville Port of Entry to Secure and Streamline Travel

      CBP introduces biometric facial comparison technology at the pedestrian border crossings in Brownsville, Texas. Travelers will have their photo taken and compared to their travel document photo.

      View Document
  3.  
  4. 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.

    View Document

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

Commentary

  • The US wants to use facial recognition to identify migrant children as they age

    News sources report that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is investigating ways in which it can use facial recognition technology to track the identities of migrant children crossing into the U.S. as they age. The Office of Biometric Identity Management (OBIM) is reportedly spearheading this effort. However, DHS has denied that it has plans to collect facial images from children under the age of fourteen.

    Go to article

To provide information, corrections, or feedback, please email IPTP.feedback@gmail.com

To provide information, corrections, or feedback, please email IPTP.feedback@gmail.com