Washington wants full slate of biometrics from immigrants

The White House reportedly is preparing a major policy shift, forcing more immigrants and would-be immigrants to submit biometrics including photos for facial recognition, eye scans, voice prints and DNA.

BuzzFeed is reporting that a draft of the policy is in the works within the Department of Homeland Security, describing it as a “massive” expansion of existing regulations that would affect immigrants and U.S. citizens.

A statement from Ken Cuccinelli, acting deputy secretary of Homeland Security, is quoted in article: “This proposed rule eliminates any ambiguity surrounding the Department’s use of biometric, setting clear standards for how and why we collect and use this information.”

The biometric dragnet is “responsible governing” in that it verifies individuals’ identity. It also dissuades ID theft and fraud, Cuccinelli reportedly stated.

Opponents of the draft policy instead see a growing and indiscriminate surveillance state. The American Civil Liberties Union, for example, is on the record opposing a number of White House measures involving biometrics that are aimed at making immigration as difficult as possible.

Article Topics

biometric data  |  biometrics  |  border management  |  data collection  |  DHS  |  dna  |  facial recognition  |  iris recognition  |  voice biometrics