The U.S. government has introduced new entry and exit regulations for non-citizens, including Green Card holders, aimed at enhancing border security through advanced facial recognition technology.
The United States government has unveiled new entry and exit regulations that mandate the collection of photographs from all non-citizens, including Green Card holders. This initiative, part of enhanced border security measures, was published by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in the Federal Register on Friday. The primary goal of these new rules is to leverage advanced facial recognition technology to bolster national security and combat document fraud.
According to CBP, the initiative aims to address various national security concerns, including the threat of terrorism, the fraudulent use of legitimate travel documentation, and the presence of individuals who remain in the United States beyond their authorized stay or are present without proper admission or parole.
The agency’s filing specifies that photographs and biometric data will be collected at all entry and exit points, which include airports, seaports, and land crossings. While CBP has already been gathering fingerprints and images from visa holders and certain residents, this new regulation extends mandatory data collection to all individuals departing the country.
These measures are part of a broader immigration crackdown initiated during former President Donald Trump’s administration. Although first proposed in 2021, the updated rule is set to take effect on December 26, 2025. This will grant U.S. border officials the authority to photograph non-citizens at any point of exit. Additionally, CBP plans to expand biometric data collection to include individuals who are currently exempt from such measures, such as children under 14 and adults over 79.
CBP has acknowledged the challenges associated with implementing these new systems, particularly the difficulty of executing the program without designated, secure exit lanes at various ports. However, the agency has stated that advancements in facial recognition technology now make comprehensive enforcement more feasible.
According to the Trump administration, an integrated biometric entry-exit system will assist the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in identifying visa overstays and individuals attempting to evade immigration laws. CBP plans to create galleries of images linked to individuals, utilizing passport data, border checkpoints, and travel documents to compare with real-time images at entry and exit points.
A public comment period regarding the new rule will commence on October 27. CBP anticipates that the system could be deployed nationwide within three to five years. Officials assert that this updated framework represents a significant step toward establishing a “fully coordinated” border security system.
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