By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Starting Friday, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will implement a new regulation requiring all individuals entering or leaving the United States to be photographed. This new regulation also allows U.S. customs officials to capture fingerprints in some cases. These measures are intended to address national security concerns, such as fraudulent use of travel documents. While concerns have been raised, DHS has assured that the data will not be used for “blanket surveillance” and will retain the personal data for up to 75 years. The program is expected to roll out gradually over the next three to five years.
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Canadians travelling to U.S. will be photographed upon entry and exit starting Boxing Day. Well, folks, it seems the US is taking a bigger step into the world of biometric data collection. Starting Boxing Day, that’s December 26th for those of us keeping track, any Canadian heading south of the border will be having their picture taken upon both entry and exit. No surprises here, right? Okay, maybe a little.
This has been happening in some form for a while now, especially with air travel. I mean, it’s pretty standard practice in a lot of countries, including those in the EU. Seems like a lot of us have been getting our pictures taken at airports for a while. You’ve probably noticed the facial recognition cameras popping up everywhere. Remember that trip to Italy, Portugal, or even Canada? Yep, the cameras were there, doing their thing. And it’s not just airports; the border crossings? They’ve had their share of cameras for a while too.
So, the new aspect here is the across-the-board application of this practice for Canadians. It’s not just about flying anymore; it’s about the whole shebang, including those driving across the border. And let’s not forget, while it’s been happening in other countries, the US doesn’t have a good track record in these areas.
Now, some of you might be thinking, “This is no big deal!” And you’re not wrong. Many folks shrug this off, because let’s be honest, getting your picture taken is hardly the end of the world. The reality is, it’s already a regular occurrence in international travel. Plus, if you have an e-passport, they already have that information. And if you’ve traveled internationally, you’ve almost certainly had your photo taken and your fingerprints scanned.
However, a lot of Canadians aren’t happy. A common sentiment is, “Why go to the U.S.?” And, frankly, it’s understandable. The US is a changed place, and these added measures only seem to underscore those concerns. For some, it’s a step too far. Others are concerned about what happens to this data and how long it’s stored. Apparently, they plan on holding onto this data for up to 75 years.
For others, this isn’t a surprise. As US citizens themselves are photographed every time they enter and leave their own country. The whole idea of scanning ID’s and taking pictures starts the moment you are at security checks when you’re boarding your flight. It’s been in place for a long time.
But, while many are getting annoyed, some also see this as another reason to avoid travel to the US. I mean, it’s just one more thing on a growing list of reasons to spend our money elsewhere. And that’s a fair point, because if we’re being honest, travel to the U.S. is already down, and things like this are just adding to the reasons why.
The US government says this is all about national security. They claim it’s a way to keep track of potential threats, people overstaying their visas, or even those trying to use fake documents. They also claim it’s not a surveillance program. But… let’s be real, the public is skeptical, and they have every right to be.
The rollout is expected to happen gradually, over the next three to five years. And it’s important to remember that these aren’t the only countries collecting this information. But, as more and more people are becoming less trusting of governments and their data collection practices, it makes it less enticing to travel to the US.
The long and short of it? It’s another small thing that could make a big difference in how Canadians view travelling to the U.S. in the future.