The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced a landmark regulatory update with the publication of its Final Rule on the Collection of Biometric Data from Aliens Upon Entry to and Departure from the United States. Scheduled to take effect on December 26, 2025, the rule significantly expands the federal government’s Biometric Entry/Exit Program, a long-standing initiative aimed at strengthening national security, modernizing border operations, and enhancing identity verification for international travelers.
This final rule represents one of the most comprehensive changes to U.S. border security policy in decades. It signals a decisive shift toward nationwide biometric identity verification at air, land, and sea ports of entry and exit, transforming how the United States tracks the movement of noncitizens.
Understanding the DHS Biometric Entry/Exit Program
The biometric entry/exit system is designed to accurately record when noncitizens arrive in and depart from the United States. Operated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the system relies primarily on facial recognition technology, supported by other biometric identifiers, to verify traveler identity.
By matching a traveler’s live image against existing government records, CBP can confirm identity in real time, helping to prevent visa overstays, identity fraud, and document misuse, while also identifying potential security threats. Until now, much of this system operated under limited pilot programs and regulatory exemptions. The new Final Rule changes that permanently.
What Changes Under the Final Rule?
The DHS regulation introduces several major updates that dramatically expand both the scope and authority of biometric data collection at U.S. borders:
Universal Coverage for Noncitizens
CBP is now authorized to collect facial biometrics from all noncitizens, removing long-standing exemptions for diplomats and most Canadian visitors.Expanded Geographic Reach
Biometric collection will occur at airports, land ports of entry, seaports, and other authorized departure locations, ensuring consistent coverage nationwide.New Transportation Modalities
The rule expands biometric processing to include sea departures, private aircraft, vehicle entry and exit, and pedestrian exits, closing gaps that previously limited exit tracking.Permanent Authorization
Restrictions that confined biometric programs to pilot phases or capped expansion have been eliminated, allowing DHS and CBP to fully operationalize the system.
DHS is accepting public comments through November 26, 2025, ahead of the rule’s full implementation.
National Security and Enforcement Benefits
DHS and CBP officials describe the expanded biometric entry/exit program as a cornerstone of modern border security.
“This final rule marks a major milestone toward implementing the Biometric Entry/Exit mandate and strengthening the security of the United States,” said Diane J. Sabatino, Acting Executive Assistant Commissioner for CBP’s Office of Field Operations.
According to DHS, the system enables CBP to:
Identify criminals and known or suspected terrorists
Prevent visa fraud and fraudulent document use
Detect visa overstays and unlawful presence
Stop illegal reentry by previously removed individuals
These objectives align with recommendations from the 9/11 Commission, which identified biometric exit tracking as a critical national security investment to close longstanding gaps in immigration enforcement.
The Technology Powering the Program
At the center of the biometric entry/exit system is CBP’s Traveler Verification Service (TVS), a secure, cloud-based facial biometric matching platform. TVS automates identity verification by comparing a traveler’s photo to government-held records, significantly reducing processing times while improving accuracy.
This technology-driven approach supports DHS’s broader push toward digital transformation, automation, and smart border infrastructure, allowing officers to focus on higher-risk cases while maintaining efficient passenger flows.
What This Means for U.S. Citizens
The Final Rule does not require U.S. citizens to participate in biometric processing. However, citizens may voluntarily opt in to facial biometric verification at entry or exit, often resulting in faster processing at airports and other ports of departure.
U.S. citizens who choose not to participate may simply notify a CBP officer or airline representative and proceed with a manual passport inspection, which remains standard and fully compliant with international travel requirements.
Privacy Protections and Data Retention
DHS emphasizes that privacy and civil liberties safeguards remain integral to the biometric entry/exit program. The department has published more than 10 Privacy Impact Assessments detailing how biometric data is collected, stored, used, shared, and deleted.
Key safeguards include:
U.S. citizen photos deleted within 12 hours
Noncitizen biometric records retained for up to 75 years, consistent with the DHS Biometric Identity Management System
Strict controls governing data access, cybersecurity, and information sharing
These measures aim to balance enhanced border security with individual privacy rights—an issue that continues to draw public and congressional attention.
Looking Ahead
The DHS Final Rule marks a decisive step toward fully integrated biometric border control in the United States. For travelers, airlines, cruise operators, and border communities, the regulation will reshape how international movement is verified and recorded.
As biometric identity verification becomes the new standard at U.S. borders, stakeholders should prepare for evolving compliance requirements, expanded automation, and ongoing debates around privacy, transparency, and the future of border technology.