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Thursday, March 28, 2024

CBP and Norwegian Cruise Line Introduce Facial Biometrics at the Port of Boston

To date, more than 227 million travelers have participated in the biometric facial comparison process at air, land, and seaports of entry.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), in partnership with Norwegian Cruise Line, expanded the use of facial biometrics into the debarkation process at the Port of Boston, becoming the latest seaport to modernize efforts to revolutionize cruise travel.

“With the return of cruise ships to Boston, CBP is working diligently with Norwegian Cruise Lines to make travel safer and more efficient,” said Jennifer B. De La O, Director of Field Operations for U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Office of Field Operations in Boston. “Facial biometrics adds an extra layer of security and further enhances the travel experience by utilizing safe, touch-free technology that streamlines entry procedures.”

Upon debarkation at a U.S. seaport, cruise vessel passengers will pause for a photo that will be compared to their existing passport or visa photo in secure Department of Homeland Security systems to biometrically verify their identity. Once verified, passengers are allowed to proceed through inspections and exit the terminal. This innovative entry process further secures and enhances the customer experience while protecting the privacy of all travelers. With a more than 98% accuracy rate, the improved arrival process using facial biometrics verifies the traveler’s identity within two seconds.

U.S. travelers and select foreign nationals who are not required to provide biometrics and wish to opt out of the new biometric process can simply request a manual document check from a CBP Officer, consistent with existing requirements for admission into the United States.

Currently, facial biometric comparison technology is available at 18 seaports across the United States and has been successfully used to process arriving passengers on cruise vessels in Florida, New Jersey, New York, Texas, California, Washington, Louisiana, Alabama, Puerto Rico, Maryland, and now Massachusetts.

To date, more than 227 million travelers have participated in the biometric facial comparison process at air, land, and seaports of entry.

As of March 2023, CBP has leveraged facial biometrics to prevent more than 1,750 impostors using genuine travel documents from illegally entering the United States at air and land ports of entry. More information on CBP’s use of biometric facial comparison technology to secure and streamline the arrival and departure process can be found here.

The Boston Field Office covers ports of entry in the six New England states of Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut and Rhode Island.

Read more at CBP

CBP and Norwegian Cruise Line Introduce Facial Biometrics at the Port of Boston Homeland Security Today
Homeland Security Today
The Government Technology & Services Coalition's Homeland Security Today (HSToday) is the premier news and information resource for the homeland security community, dedicated to elevating the discussions and insights that can support a safe and secure nation. A non-profit magazine and media platform, HSToday provides readers with the whole story, placing facts and comments in context to inform debate and drive realistic solutions to some of the nation’s most vexing security challenges.
Homeland Security Today
Homeland Security Todayhttp://www.hstoday.us
The Government Technology & Services Coalition's Homeland Security Today (HSToday) is the premier news and information resource for the homeland security community, dedicated to elevating the discussions and insights that can support a safe and secure nation. A non-profit magazine and media platform, HSToday provides readers with the whole story, placing facts and comments in context to inform debate and drive realistic solutions to some of the nation’s most vexing security challenges.

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