Migrants without passports must submit to facial recognition to board flights in the U.S.

• New rules for migrants without passports.
• The TSA now requires facial recognition.
• Policy change causes confusion.

It has been revealed that the United States government has made a significant change for migrants who want to fly domestically.

According to The Associated Press, the policy is aimed at migrants who do not have a valid passport.

The new measure has caused confusion and concern among immigrants and activist groups in Texas.

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New boarding policies for migrants

Now, those without a valid passport must submit to facial recognition to board domestic flights.

The change, whose effective date has not been clearly established yet, has left many migrants perplexed as they attempted to board flights from southern Texas on Tuesday, March 12.

Many of them, who used the government’s online appointment system to process their immigration cases, were surprised to face additional requirements at the airport.

The Associated Press noted that this measure has instilled fear among migrants in the U.S.

The impact on migrants without passports

One of the areas of greatest uncertainty is how this change will affect those migrants who crossed the border irregularly and were processed by the Border Patrol.

These individuals are likely to have been released while their immigration cases are pending.

This group of people could face greater difficulties boarding domestic flights if they do not have the appropriate identification.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) explained to The Associated Press that migrants without valid photo identification will be required to submit to facial recognition.

Changes to TSA procedures

The facial recognition process would serve to confirm their identity with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

According to the agency, those whose identity cannot be verified will not be able to access secure areas of the airport or board flights.

Although the TSA did not specify when this change was implemented, it assured that it is recent and not in response to a specific security threat.

However, this measure has generated concern among migrants and communities along the border.

Concerns among migrants

Concerns arise among migrants who increasingly rely on airlines to travel to cities where they have contacts or relatives to continue the immigration process.

Groups working with migrants expressed their surprise at this new policy, which has caused distress and confusion.

Some migrants wonder if they could lose money already spent on non-refundable plane tickets, The Associated Press noted.

Meanwhile, advocates are seeking to clarify the TSA’s new procedures so they can guide those affected by this situation.

The long-term impact is unclear

Reverend Brian Strassburger, Executive Director of Del Camino Jesuit Border Ministries, highlighted how migrants were previously allowed to board board flights with documents provided by the Border Patrol.

This process that has now changed with the implementation of facial recognition technology.

Despite the concerns and initial confusion, some migrants have been able to board flights after undergoing the facial recognition process at TSA checkpoints.

The long-term impact of this new policy is still unclear, leaving many migrants in a state of uncertainty and concern as they try to navigate their immigration procedures.