U.S. border agents will force Canadians to undergo facial recognition checks

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has confirmed plans to use facial biometrics at its land borders, and they will affect Canadians.

In an email, CBP Public Affairs Officer Jessica Turner said, "We have been testing camera technology at a few locations on the Northern and Southern borders as part of the entry/exit mission."

That means travellers can soon expect to have their photo taken when exiting the U.S. at land borders with Canada and Mexico. Turner explained that facial biometric records are used to track overstays.

"The goal for expanding to outbound vehicle lanes is to be able to biometrically confirm departure from the U.S.," she said.

For frequent travellers to the U.S., biometrics aren't new.

As early as 2002, CBP was mandated to use biometric technology to issue visas and screen foreign nationals entering the country. In 2004, the U.S. started collecting biometric data from non-U.S. citizens exiting the country at airports.

These security measures are in place at airports with international arrivals and upon exit from 58 airports. CBP also uses facial biometrics for travellers entering the U.S. via cruises and pedestrian lanes.

Currently, Canadians returning home from the U.S. by vehicle are only required to provide biographic information.

On May 9, Wired reported that CBP plans to "log every person leaving the country by vehicle by taking photos at border crossings."

However, Turner refuted this, stating, "We will not 'log' every person. The entry/exit mandate applies to the majority of foreign travellers."

She added, "Travellers who do not wish to participate in the facial biometric process simply notify a CBP officer, request a manual document check, and are processed consistent with existing requirements for entry to the United States."

According to the CBP website, biographic information for air travellers includes date of birth, passport number, document number, country of citizenship, etc. However, CBP didn't specify if it requires additional documents for a manual check at its land borders.

Although they've been testing the technology, Turner said there's no specific timeline for when CBP plans to implement facial biometrics for travellers leaving by land.

"We have not yet provided a plan for how CBP will capture facial biometrics at exit in vehicle lanes, but will continue to explore solutions as part of the long-standing biometric entry/exit program," she said.