U.S. Will Take Photos and Biometric Data of Foreigners Upon Entry and Exit
Posted on10/28/25 at 14:39
- DHS Implements Biometric Border Control
- DHS to Strengthen Security Surveillance
- Experts Warn of Privacy Risks
According to EFE, the U.S. government will implement a new border control policy requiring the collection of photographs and biometric data from all foreigners entering or leaving the country by air, land, or sea.
The measure, published Monday in the Federal Register by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), will take effect on December 26, 2025.
Under the new regulation, DHS will be authorized to collect fingerprints, facial recognition scans, and other biometric identifiers from non-citizen travelers.
The rule applies to all foreign nationals, including those with visas, temporary residents, international workers, minors, and elderly travelers.
New DHS Biometric System at U.S. Borders
The United States will take photos and biometric data of foreign travelers upon entry and exit https://t.co/GaFniMwj0x
— el Nuevo Herald (@elnuevoherald) October 27, 2025
The DHS explained that the system aims to create a unified biometric record matching data collected upon entry and departure.
“Implementing an integrated biometric entry-exit system will help address national security concerns,” the department stated.
According to DHS, this new mechanism will help combat terrorism, identity fraud, and visa overstays.
Additionally, the agency says it will confirm traveler identities and verify departures more reliably than current systems allow.
Biometric Data Collection in Airports, Ports, and Border Crossings
The DHS biometric border control system will be applied in airports, seaports, and land crossings, both for arrivals and departures.
At many points, facial recognition cameras and automated screening stations will be connected to DHS and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) databases.
Captured photos and biometric data will be matched with passport information to verify each traveler’s identity.
While the DHS insists the policy won’t increase travel wait times, experts warn of an expansion of digital surveillance.
Privacy and Digital Surveillance Concerns
The Lincoln-Goldfinch Law Firm warned that the rule represents “a fundamental shift in border and biometric surveillance policy.”
“When biometric data is collected both on entry and exit, we’re entering a new paradigm of government tracking,” said attorney Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch.
The lawyer emphasized that families must be informed about how their data will be used and how long it will be stored.
Civil rights organizations have also raised concerns about transparency and constitutional safeguards in handling personal information.
Calls for Legal Safeguards
Lincoln-Goldfinch urged that the policy be implemented with clear limits and minimal interference with lawful travel.
Experts have also warned that border biometric systems could lead to technological errors and racial bias in identification.
For its part, the DHS maintains that the system will be implemented securely and in compliance with privacy laws.
If completed without setbacks, this initiative will mark a historic milestone in U.S. immigration and border management.