Canadians to Be Photographed When Entering or Leaving US Under New Rules

The United States will soon photograph all non-citizens entering and exiting the country under new regulations announced by U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem.

The rules are part of a set of biometric data requirements announced Oct. 27 by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with the stated aim of enhancing border security and verifying traveller identity, and will take effect Dec. 26. The photo records could be stored for up to 75 years, the department said.

U.S. authorities will also have authority to request DNA samples and fingerprints from all non-citizens under the new rules.

“The best tool to combat passport fraud is to utilize the digital photos contained in e-passports to biometrically verify that a person who presents a travel document is the true bearer of that document,” the document reads, adding that the measures are “essential” for keeping the U.S. immigration system secure as well as protecting against terrorism and visa overstays.

The DHS says the new rules will use facial recognition technology to match real-time traveller images with records already on file at all U.S. ports of entry by air, land, and sea “to create an integrated, automated biometric entry and exit system that records the arrival and departure of aliens, compares the biometric data of aliens to verify their identity, and authenticates travel documents.”

The full implementation of the new rules at land crossings, sea ports and via private aircraft is still being developed, with expected implementation at all sea ports and airports within three to five years, and later implementation at all land borders and for private aircraft entries.

“CBP has not analyzed the costs and benefits for implementing a facial comparison-based biometric entry-exit program for vehicles at land ports and private aircraft, or for exit at sea ports and pedestrians at land ports because CBP is still in the process of determining the best way to implement biometric entry-exit within each of these unique environments,” the document states.

In its announcement of the rule changes, DHS referenced the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and a 2017 U.N. Security Council Resolution that called on member nations to gather biometric data to prevent terrorism.

In addition to being photographed upon entry at the border itself, travellers may have their biometric data collected by airline systems including the Advance Passenger Information System (APIS). U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) may also store photos in local galleries at border points where an individual frequently crosses to speed up the process.

The new rules will apply to all non-citizens including minors under 14-years-old and seniors over 79, who have previously been exempted from some prior biometric regulations.

Canadians who stay in the United States for more than 30 days are already required to submit fingerprints and register with border authorities. The new rules have a 30-day comment period starting Oct. 27 when the regulations were published in the Federal Register.

Earlier regulations only had biometric data collection at 15 U.S. ports of entry as a pilot program, but the new rules announced Oct. 27 will soon give DHS the legal authority to collect biometric data at all points of entry and exit to the United Sates.