Starting December 26, all travelers coming to or leaving the United States will have their photographs taken by U.S. customs officials. Additionally, fingerprints may be captured in certain instances. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced this new regulation to enhance security measures for non-U.S. citizens, including Canadian travelers and diplomats.
Since 2004, the DHS has been collecting biometric data from specific travelers entering the U.S. However, there was previously no system in place to record this information when individuals departed the country. The DHS justified these measures as crucial for national security, citing concerns such as terrorist threats, misuse of travel documents, and unauthorized stays in the U.S.
Although some worry about potential misuse of traveler data, particularly in tracking journalists or political dissidents, the DHS emphasized that the photos would not be utilized for widespread surveillance. The department clarified that the biometric entry and exit system is not intended for surveillance purposes.
Personal data collected will be stored by the DHS for up to 75 years. The implementation of this program will be phased in gradually over a period of three to five years.