Overview
- CBP is now photographing every non‑U.S. citizen at airports, land borders and seaports when they enter and when they leave the country.
- The rule removes prior exemptions and applies regardless of age or status, covering lawful permanent residents and ending most carve‑outs for Canadians and many diplomats.
- DHS will retain foreign travelers’ photos for up to 75 years and may also collect fingerprints, with some implementations using iris or voice scans.
- Refusing the required photo at entry can result in an inadmissibility finding, and refusing at exit can be treated as a violation of admission, parole or immigration status.
- A separate proposal for Visa Waiver travelers would add five years of social‑media account history, require an applicant facial photo, and move filings to a mobile‑app‑only process, with public comments now open.