CBP to implement a facial comparison system for travelers
U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced a facial comparison technical demonstration will begin at the San Luis Port of Entry for pedestrian travelers on Tuesday.
The facial comparison system is comprised of a camera to test and evaluate taking photographs of pedestrians entering the United States.The system then compares images to the photos associated with the travel documents the travelers present.
CBP said a camera will be placed at the processing booth and as the traveler approaches, the camera will automatically take a photo.
Officers can then review the traveler’s travel document, which will retrieve the photo from government holdings. The photo of the traveler will be compared to the travel document photo.
“This technical demonstration will help inform the agency on next steps to developing and implementing biometric entry/exit in the land border pedestrian environment,” said Petra Horne, Acting Director of Field Operations, Tucson Field Office. “Similar to how this technology has had a positive impact on traffic flow in the air environment, we anticipate the same in the pedestrian environment.”
CBP stated that it is not mandatory for citizens to have their photo taken and if they wish to undergo alternative screening procedures, they should advise the CBP officer when they approach primary.
This technical demonstration will expand to the Port of Nogales Dennis DeConcini Crossing later this year and will add an exit technical demonstration in Spring 2019, according to CBP.
