This week, WBEN featured insight from Rosanna Berardi, Esq., Managing Partner of Berardi Immigration Law, on a new U.S. rule requiring all non-U.S. travelers to be photographed when entering the country, including Canadians.
Rosanna explained that Customs and Border Protection has been trying to close biometric “loopholes” for nearly two decades. The difference now is scale. Border officers will be capturing photos more consistently at land borders, airports, and seaports. The goal is to verify identity, spot fraud, and keep better track of who comes and goes.
Rosanna’s advice is blunt: don’t panic, just be prepared.
“When you’re driving across the border, if you’re the driver right now of a vehicle, you’re getting your photo taken whether you know that or not. And CBP has indicated they’re going to be using a lot of AI technology, so hopefully for the land borders, it’s not going to be different, other than you’re getting your photo taken as you’re rolling across,” Berardi explained.
She cautions that travelers should stay alert to how these systems roll out. Technology upgrades have a habit of being a little less ‘Mission Impossible’ and a little more ‘please wait while we reboot.’ If the process slows down, plan for extra time when crossing.
Rosanna noted the bigger picture too. Increased biometrics signal that the U.S. is continuing a tougher security posture. Travelers may notice more questions and additional verification steps at the border.
Read more here: WBEN News
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