US to Photograph Canadians Entering and Exiting Starting Boxing Day: Is It Really New?
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.
John Q. Hosedrinker