CBP processes 1 billion+ travelers with facial biometrics, bolstering national security
WASHINGTON—U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced today it has verified the identity of over 1 billion travelers through facial biometrics, underscoring CBP's unwavering commitment to enhancing national security, combatting identity fraud, and streamlining legitimate travel.
"Accurately verifying the identity of over 1 billion travelers at air, land, and sea with facial biometrics signifies a historic achievement for CBP and the Department of Homeland Security," said Executive Assistant Commissioner Diane J. Sabatino of CBP’s Office of Field Operations. "As we recently honored the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11th attacks last month, this milestone is a powerful testament to our commitment to meeting the biometric Entry/Exit mandate, by leveraging cutting-edge technology to enhance national security, streamlining the travel experience, protecting privacy, and effectively combatting threats like identity fraud. It reflects years of innovation and the tireless dedication of our personnel across all environments."
Following the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001, several pieces of legislation, in addition to the “The National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States,” known as the 911 Commission, emphasized the need to accelerate the implementation of an automated biometric entry-exit data system. In 2013, Congress issued a mandate to identify every non-citizen who enters and exits the United States, transferring the biometric Entry/Exit mission to CBP. Since 2018, CBP has biometrically identified more than 600,000 overstays and more than 2,300 impostors, thereby strengthening national security.
To advance the Entry/Exit mandate, CBP has successfully implemented facial biometrics with over 98 percent accuracy into the entry processes at all U.S. airports with international arrivals, including Preclearance locations, and at exit from 66 U.S. airports. CBP also strengthened seaports by implementing facial biometrics at 42 seaports – including facial biometric debarkation at 25 locations with closed loop cruises – and expanded data-sharing agreements with the cruise lines.
As part of its land border innovation efforts, CBP conducted extensive testing and implemented facial biometrics at all pedestrian lanes at both the southwest and northern border ports of entry and started deploying facial biometrics to the vehicle lanes at select locations.
As part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed in July 2025, CBP received $673 million specifically for expanding biometric entry-exit systems across all U.S. ports of entry. CBP is expanding facial biometrics at vehicle entry and embarkation for crew and passengers. In partnership with DHS Science and Technology, CBP also initiated pedestrian exit testing to assess the performance of advanced cameras to collect quality images of travelers walking at speed as they departed the United States from a southwest port of entry. In addition, CBP is also exploring opportunities to do a similar test with S&T and our industry partners to assess vehicle biometric exit.
Building on this success, CBP has expanded facial biometrics for identity verification into other programs and initiatives, including Global Entry Modernization, which tests “on the move” facial biometrics for Global Entry members at select locations, and Enhanced Passenger Processing for U.S. citizens further secures entry into the U.S.
CBP is committed to its privacy obligations and has taken steps to safeguard the privacy of all travelers. CBP discards U.S. citizen photos within 12 hours of the identity verification process and enrolls non-U.S. citizen travelers in the DHS Biometric Identity Management System as a biometric confirmation of entry or departure.
U.S citizens and eligible travelers who do not wish to participate in the facial biometrics process simply notify a CBP officer, request a manual document check, and are processed consistent with existing requirements for entry to the United States.
For more information on CBP’s Entry/Exit program, please visit www.dhs.gov/biometrics
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