A client called me this week worried about the new mandatory biometric checks for all non‑U.S. citizens, including green‑card holders. He’s planning a quick two‑week trip abroad and fears the policy might make returning to the U.S. more complicated.
Of course, knowing what to expect helps you prepare in advance. Avoid getting tangled in complications at the airport or when reentering the U.S. Prevention is always better than cure.
So here’s what you need to know
The Department of Homeland Security rolled out biometric entry‑exit screening for all foreign travelers nationwide. The rollout that began in December 2025 and builds on pilots at select airports and land ports. It aims to make identity checks more accurate, curb fraud, and better track visa overstays. Quick scans. Shorter lines.
What’s changing at the border under the expanded program, most foreign nationals arriving or departing the United States will have their biometric data captured and checked. That means a quick fingerprint scan or a touchless facial image at many ports of entry.
If you’ve been traveling lately, you’ve probably noticed touchless facial‑recognition gates at many airports, and more facilities are adding scanning lanes. So you know what I am talking about.
My December flight
I’d already noticed touchless biometric gates at many major airports. Last December I flew to Washington, D.C., running late. Picture me sprinting through the terminal with a suitcase and a backpack, silently praying the security line won’t be unbearably long. I was racing to make the flight with ten minutes to spare.
Reaching the checkpoint felt like finding an open checkout lane at the grocery store. Pure bliss. For some reason I felt proud, as if I’d just won a game. Anyway, the point is that the line was short and moving fast. I handed my driver’s license to the officer, was told to look at the camera for the facial scan, and that was it. No questions, no delay. I hadn’t even decided whether to smile for the camera before the scan finished. Oh, well. Not that it mattered.
What DHS is saying
DHS says automation and increased processing capacity have kept wait times from growing even as biometric screening expands. So overall lines should move faster.
Officials say the system improves identification accuracy, helps prevent identity fraud, and aids efforts to identify people who overstay visas or otherwise violate entry conditions.
DHS also expects the program to strengthen public‑safety screening by matching travelers against criminal and national‑security databases more reliably.
What travelers should be thinking
The change means routine biometric scans at arrival and departure in addition to the usual passport and visa checks. Travelers should bring all travel documents, keep digital and paper copies of passports and visas, and allow extra time at the airport in case of crowds or unexpected delays.
Why are we talking about this
Biometrics raise reasonable privacy concerns. DHS says it operates under existing privacy and data‑protection rules, but questions remain about data retention, who can access the data, and oversight.
For complex issues, like prior immigration complications, questions about data sharing, or legal sensitivities, get legal advice before you travel.
