U.S. authorities are already taking photographs of all foreign nationals and are collecting biometric control on some of them entering and leaving the country by air, land or sea, following the entry into force of a new Department of Homeland Security (DHS) rule.
The rule, announced last October, allows DHS to collect biometric data, such as fingerprints and facial features, from foreign nationals at airports, land points and seaports when they leave the United States.
Biometric control implemented in the U.S.
It also allows facial recognition to be used for children under 14 years of age and people over 79 years of age, two groups that were previously exempt.
The new rule affects all non-citizens, including permanent resident card holders, temporary residents, temporary workers, minors and senior citizens.
According to DHS, this system “will help address national security concerns.”
Terrorism, fraudulent use of travel documents, visitor demurrage, and incorrect or incomplete traveler information were the main threats cited by the government to justify the implementation of the regulations.
“This system will also allow DHS to more concretely confirm the identity of aliens who are seeking entry or admission to the United States, and to verify their departure from the United States,” DHS stated in the rule.
The move was criticized by civil rights activists, who question what will happen to passenger data, how long it will be retained or what will happen in case of misunderstandings.
In addition to this directive that will tighten border regulations, the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump proposed last December 10 that tourists from 42 countries, including Spain, must hand over their social network history for the past five years to enter the United States.
This measure would apply to citizens entering the U.S. under the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).
This program covers tourists and travelers from 42 countries, including Spain, the United Kingdom, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, France, Japan, Israel and Qatar, among others.
Filed under: Biometric control applied
With information from EFE
