CBP seeking comments on biometrics collection program

The Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection (CBP) division has posted a notice for written comments regarding the introduction of a newly developed biometric entry and exit program.

CBP will apply the proposed program to all non-exempt non-U.S. citizens entering and exiting the country as a national security measure to ensure the identity of all non-U.S. citizens and to determine whether they are legally allowed to visit the United States.

The system will capture a range of biometric identifiers including digital fingerprint scans, photographs, facial images and iris images.

The notice does not specify any of the technology details supporting the system. Meanwhile, the current biographic collection process used by CBP does not capture facial and iris images.

Federal agencies directly impacted by the biometric entry and exit program, as well as the general public, are encouraged to submit their written comments to the CBP on or before October 19, 2015.

CBP will then take into account the comments before submitting the biometric identity collection program proposal to the Office of Management and Budget for approval.

Previously reported, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced it will conduct the BE-Mobile Air Test in which it will collect biometric and biographic data from certain foreign travellers who are departing the United States on selected flights from up to ten identified U.S. airports.

Article Topics

biometric exit  |  biometrics  |  CBP  |  data collection  |  DHS  |  facial recognition  |  fingerprint biometrics  |  iris recognition