Beginning December 26, 2025, the U.S. will enforce new stringent entry and exit protocols for all non-citizens, extending to Green Card holders. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that mandatory photographic data will be collected from every foreign national upon arrival and departure. This significant expansion of existing biometric collection practices aims to fortify national security and immigration enforcement. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will implement the collection of photographs and other biometric identifiers at all points of entry – land, sea, and air. Importantly, age-based exemptions previously in place for travelers under 14 and over 79 will be eliminated. This means that all foreign nationals, regardless of their residency status or age, will be required to submit to biometric screening. The collected data, including passport and visa application information, will be cross-referenced with the new photographs using advanced facial comparison technology. The DHS asserts that this integrated system will be instrumental in thwarting identity theft, combating fraudulent travel documents, and identifying visa overstayers. Enhanced national security is a primary driver, with officials highlighting the system’s role in detecting potential threats, counterfeit documents, and ensuring accurate traveler tracking. This initiative is seen as a key strategy to tackle the issue of visa overstays, a significant factor in the undocumented immigrant population. While privacy advocates and civil rights organizations have voiced strong objections, pointing to potential inaccuracies and biases in facial recognition technology, the CBP remains firm on its commitment to strengthening border integrity through these enhanced biometric measures.
