US to Photograph All Foreign Visitors on Arrival and Departure
The United States will soon require all international students, foreign workers, and tourists to be photographed both when they enter and leave the country under a new Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposal.
Key Takeaways
- All foreign nationals, regardless of age or visa type, will be photographed.
- The new rule aims to prevent visa fraud and enhance security.
- Non-compliance could lead to inadmissibility or status violations.
- A 30-day public comment period begins after Federal Register publication on October 27.
New Biometric Collection Regulation
The DHS has formally introduced regulations mandating the ‘Collection of Biometric Data from Aliens Upon Entry to and Departure from the United States’. This amendment requires all foreign travelers to be photographed, creating a comprehensive biometric entry-exit system.
Legal Authority and Current Gaps
While the DHS has had the authority to collect biometrics under the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952, no system currently exists for collecting departure biometrics from foreigners. The new facial recognition-based system aims to fill this security gap.
Universal Application and Exemptions
The photograph requirement applies to all foreign travelers irrespective of age or visa classification. Age-based exemptions will continue for other biometrics, but facial images will be mandatory for everyone.
Fraud Prevention and Security
The DHS advocates this system to combat passport and visa fraud. Using facial comparison technology, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will biometrically verify travelers against their e-passport photos, providing a more secure identity confirmation method.
Implementation Timeline
The Department of Homeland Security will open a 30-day public comment period following the regulation’s publication in the Federal Register on October 27. The rule is proposed to take effect 60 days after publication.
