FACIAL BIOMETRICS AT U.S. PORTS OF ENTRY
CBP uses facial comparison during international arrival processing to verify a traveler’s identity and confirm that the person presenting a passport or other travel document is the true bearer of that document. Facial comparison is now integrated into the arrival process at U.S. international airports.
CBP’s Simplified Arrival process uses facial biometrics during the international-arrival inspection. A traveler pauses for a photograph at primary inspection and CBP’s Traveler Verification Service compares the live image with photographs already available in government holdings.
The photograph is used as an identity-verification tool during the border inspection; it does not replace CBP’s broader admissibility inspection.
CBP describes the matching gallery as using photographs associated with travelers on the incoming manifest. Source images can include passport photographs, visa photographs and photographs from prior DHS or CBP encounters.
CBP states that the purpose of facial comparison is to confirm identity and help determine that the traveler is the true bearer of the travel document being presented.
The technology has also been used to identify travelers attempting to use another person’s documents.
A successful biometric match does not itself determine admissibility. After identity verification, CBP can still ask questions about citizenship, visa classification, trip purpose, prior immigration history, customs declarations and other matters relevant to inspection.
CBP reports that facial biometric processing has been implemented for entry at U.S. international airports and has also expanded to land and sea environments.
Retention depends on the traveler’s status and the particular biometric process. CBP states that photographs of biometrically verified U.S. citizens are not retained in the same manner as photographs of in-scope non-U.S. citizens. CBP privacy materials describe short TVS retention periods and longer authorized biometric-record retention for qualifying non-U.S. citizens.
Do not assume that every traveler’s facial photograph is retained for the same period.
Facial biometrics are integrated broadly into airport arrival processing, but whether biometric collection is legally required and whether a traveler may opt out depends on the traveler’s category.
No. Facial comparison verifies identity. CBP separately determines admissibility.
Yes. CBP states that its facial comparison galleries can use photographs from passports, visas and prior government encounters.
A facial photograph or biometric referral may be routine identity verification, or it may be one part of a larger secondary-inspection or identity problem.