The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) plans to introduce a new biometric exit policy, requiring photographs of all noncitizens departing the country starting December 26, 2025. This rule marks a significant shift in how the government monitors individuals entering and exiting the United States. It expands facial-recognition tracking beyond just arrivals to include all visa holders, temporary workers, and even children. Critics, including some Democrats and civil rights advocates, argue that this policy could lead to racial profiling and raises privacy concerns.
The initiative aims to bolster national security and improve the ability to track visa overstays. The program will use the CBP’s Traveler Verification Service, which matches live images against existing government databases to verify identities. While U.S. citizens can opt out, noncitizens must comply without a choice, raising questions about privacy and individual rights.
Immigration attorney Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch has voiced her opposition to the new rule, describing it as a fundamental alteration of immigrant rights. She raised concerns about fairness and accountability, emphasizing the need for individual scrutiny rather than blanket measures. “The government cannot treat every noncitizen the same without scrutiny of individual facts and context,” she stated, calling for constitutional safeguards to protect lawful travelers.
However, those in favor of the policy argue that it is a necessary step for strengthening border security. They emphasize that the process only involves photographing noncitizens and does not punish anyone for wanting to travel. The procedure is less invasive than other health measures, like mandatory COVID vaccinations or mask-wearing during flights. Proponents contend that families can still travel lawfully as long as they comply.
Supporters also highlight that many countries already utilize facial recognition technologies in border control and other checks. Furthermore, they counter objections regarding potential errors in biometric recognition by noting that the error rate associated with technology is significantly lower than human mistakes. They predict that ongoing advancements in technology will further enhance the accuracy of these systems, supporting efforts to combat illegal immigration.
Concerns about the financial impact are also raised. Advocates assert that the new system will save taxpayer money in the long run by reducing the costs associated with visa fraud and streamlining the immigration process. In their view, investing in these technologies is an essential expense for national security and public safety.
Overall, the rollout of this biometric exit policy appears to resonate positively with some conservative viewers who see it as a long-overdue adjustment to immigration policy. With a clear focus on national security and efficient border management, the implementation of this new process marks a significant advancement in the ongoing efforts to secure American borders.
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