The United States is set to implement a comprehensive biometric entry-exit system starting December 26, 2025, impacting all non-U.S. citizens, including lawful permanent residents (Green Card holders). The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) revealed that photographs will now be mandatorily collected from individuals entering and leaving the nation. This initiative represents a substantial upgrade to current data collection methods, which have historically had limitations. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will now gather biometric data, including photographs and potentially fingerprints, across all entry points, whether by land, sea, or air. A crucial change is the removal of exemptions for younger and older travelers, meaning every foreign national will now undergo this biometric verification process. The CBP will leverage facial recognition technology to compare the newly captured photographs with existing data from passports and visa applications, aiming to enhance identity verification. The stated goals of this enhanced system include reducing identity fraud, preventing the use of falsified travel documents, and improving tracking of individuals who exceed their authorized stay in the U.S. National security is a major consideration, with officials anticipating that the biometric system will aid in identifying individuals involved in terrorism or using fraudulent credentials. The DHS also expects this expansion to provide a more effective solution to the persistent problem of visa overstays. Despite concerns raised by civil liberties groups regarding the privacy implications and potential inaccuracies of facial recognition technology, especially concerning minority groups, the CBP is moving forward with the implementation, aiming for full operational status at major ports within five years.
