Biometrics: Overview

What Are Biometrics?

Biometrics are unique physical characteristics like fingerprints or facial structure, used to identify and verify people. Using biometric technology is a secure and efficient way to enhance your safety and the safety of the United States by ensuring only the right people can access certain places or information.

How Does CBP Use Biometrics?

CBP is leading the way in innovative identity verification through its use of facial biometric comparison technology. This technology compares your live facial features with the photo in your travel documents to verify your identity, creating a more seamless, secure, and safer travel experience.

Following years of testing, CBP has successfully deployed a cloud-based facial biometric comparison technology called the Traveler Verification Service (TVS). TVS supports comprehensive biometric procedures for travelers to enter and exit the United States, whether it’s through airports, land border ports of entry, or seaports.
 

The Process Works Like This

1. 

   When you arrive at a port of entry to enter or exit the United States, you approach a camera connected to the TVS facial biometric comparison technology via a secure, encrypted connection.

2. 

   This camera analyzes your facial features, then identifies you based on the photo from your travel documents.

3. 

   Once the system processes your identity, you are directed to enter or exit the United States or proceed to inspection for admissibility by a CBP Officer.

• Types of Biometrics Technology Available at Airports

  • Entry: Biometric facial comparison technology used to process travelers entering the United States through airports.
  • Exit: Biometric facial comparison technology used to process travelers exiting the United States through airports.
  • TSA Aviation Security: For eligible Pre-Check and Global Entry members traveling both domestically and internationally, TSA uses TVS galleries to conduct a touch-less and token-less match at the travel document checker (TDC) at TSA security.
  • TSA Bag Drop: For eligible Pre-Check and Global Entry members traveling both domestically and internationally, airlines use TVS galleries, through TSA, to conduct a touch-less and token-less match at the to replace the required identification check at baggage-drop.

• Types of Biometrics Technology Available at Land Border Ports of Entry

  • Pedestrian: Biometric facial comparison technology used to process travelers entering the United States through land border ports of entry on foot. Used for processing entry into the United States and I-94s.
  • Vehicle: Biometric facial comparison technology used to process travelers entering the United States through land border ports of entry in personally owned vehicles. Biometric facial comparison technology is currently in testing. 

• Types of Biometrics Technology Available at Seaports

  • Declaration Zone: An established concept wherein travelers provide an initial declaration via a selection of a departure path. Travelers select between two (2) clearly marked paths demonstrating that they have ‘Items to Declare’ or ‘Nothing to Declare.’
  • Entry: A biometric security solution that uses an individual’s unique physical characteristics—such as fingerprints, facial features—for identity verification as part of the United States immigration system of control and access.