DHS Implements Mandatory Biometric Collection for All Non-Citizens at U.S. Borders

New DHS regulations take effect requiring mandatory biometric data collection from all non-citizens entering and leaving the United States at airports, land ports, seaports, and other authorized points of departure. The rule expands facial recognition technology and authorizes CBP to photograph—and potentially fingerprint—every non-citizen at every U.S. border crossing.

For green card holders specifically, these new rules mean mandatory biometric checks at each entry and exit, creating a comprehensive surveillance system tracking lawful permanent residents’ movements. The requirement applies regardless of citizenship status, subjecting millions of legal residents to constant biometric monitoring previously reserved for visa applicants and border enforcement.

The regulations represent a significant expansion of government surveillance capabilities and data collection on immigrants and visitors. Privacy advocates raise concerns about data storage, potential misuse, and the creation of vast biometric databases without clear oversight or limitations on retention and sharing.

CBP also published notice in the Federal Register in December 2025 that officers may collect up to five years of social media information from certain travelers requiring visas to enter the United States, further expanding digital surveillance of immigrants.

These measures implement a surveillance infrastructure that treats all non-citizens as potential threats requiring constant monitoring and tracking. The biometric collection system creates opportunities for data breaches, misidentification, and mission creep as the database grows. Legal experts warn this establishes a two-tiered system where citizens enjoy privacy rights while non-citizens face pervasive government surveillance.