A significant shift in U.S. border policy will require all non-citizens, including Green Card holders, to submit to mandatory biometric data collection when entering or exiting the country. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has set a December 26, 2025, deadline for this new regulation, which aims to significantly enhance national security and immigration enforcement. This expansion means U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will collect photographs and other biometric information from nearly all foreign nationals at land, sea, and air ports of entry. Previously, certain age groups were exempt, but these waivers will no longer apply, ensuring universal biometric capture. The collected facial images will be integrated with existing data from passports and visa applications, utilizing advanced facial comparison technology to verify traveler identities. The DHS highlights that this system is designed to combat identity fraud, detect counterfeit travel documents, and identify visa overstayers more effectively. Officials also point to substantial national security benefits, expecting the system to help identify potential terrorists and individuals presenting falsified documents. This move is seen as a direct effort to address the issue of visa overstays contributing to the undocumented population. While privacy advocates and civil rights organizations have expressed reservations about the potential for misuse and bias in facial recognition technology, the CBP maintains that the enhanced biometric entry-exit system is essential for maintaining border integrity and expects its full rollout over the next few years.
