U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has announced the implementation of biometric facial comparison technology at the pedestrian border crossing in Andrade, CA. The technology will enhance the identity verification process for lawful entry into the United States.
“CBP is expanding a secure, touchless process for identity verification at select pedestrian lanes for travelers arriving into the United States,” said Anne Maricich, Acting Director of Field Operations, San Diego Field Office, U.S. Customs and Border Protection. “CBP’s use of facial biometrics delivers an efficient, streamlined travel experience while adding an additional layer of security to prevent the fraudulent use of travel documents.”
The biometric facial comparison process occurs only at a time and place where travelers are already required by law to verify their identity by presenting a travel document. When a traveler arrives at the pedestrian lanes at Andrade, he or she will pause for a photo at the primary inspection point. A CBP officer will review and query the travel document, which will retrieve the traveler’s passport or visa photo from government holdings. The new photo of the traveler will be compared to the photo previously collected. CBP says that the facial comparison process only takes a few seconds and is over 97 percent accurate.
U.S. citizens and select foreign nationals who are not required to provide biometrics may opt out of the new biometric process simply by notifying a CBP officer as they approach the primary inspection point. These travelers will be required to present a valid travel document for inspection by a CBP officer, and they will be processed consistent with existing requirements for admission into the United States.
