U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is expanding its use of biometric identity verification with a new pilot program at vehicle border crossings. Beginning in November 2024, the agency will test facial recognition technology at the Peace Bridge between Buffalo, New York, and Canada, with the pilot scheduled to run through March or April 2025. The initiative, detailed in CBP privacy documentation, builds on earlier evaluations at the same location as well as tests conducted in Texas and Arizona.
The system is designed to capture live facial images of unobstructed vehicle occupants as they move through designated lanes. These images are processed via CBP’s Traveler Verification Service (TVS) and compared against Department of Homeland Security (DHS) holdings to confirm identities before travelers reach inspection booths. CBP says this approach can help officers verify identities earlier in the inspection process and improve the efficiency of vehicle lane operations.
Privacy Protections and Data Handling
According to CBP, images of U.S. citizens captured during the process will be deleted within 12 hours, while photos of foreign nationals will be stored in accordance with existing DHS retention schedules. The pilot also includes signage at the port of entry to inform travelers about the process and their right to request an alternative manual inspection.
CBP notes that while facial biometrics are being tested in vehicle lanes, the agency no longer collects iris biometrics at ports of entry. The focus remains on expanding facial recognition capabilities across multiple border environments, supported by existing deployments at pedestrian crossings and major airports.
Concerns from Privacy Advocates
Privacy advocates, including the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), have raised concerns about the scope of biometric data collection and potential surveillance overreach. David Maass, EFF’s director of investigations, has emphasized the importance of transparency and robust oversight to ensure that such technologies are deployed in ways that protect civil liberties.
CBP has already implemented facial comparison systems for air travelers at locations such as Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport, where biometric matching is used to verify arriving passengers against existing government records. The Peace Bridge pilot will allow CBP to assess how similar technology performs in the higher-throughput environment of vehicle border crossings.
Once the pilot concludes, the agency will review its operational impact, accuracy rates, and privacy compliance measures before determining whether to proceed with permanent deployment at the Peace Bridge or extend the technology to other land ports of entry.
Sources: FedScoop
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By Ji-seo Kim
