U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced plans to deploy new facial recognition technology at the Peace Bridge Port of Entry (POE) connecting Buffalo, New York, to Fort Erie, Ontario.
On November 14, 2024, CBP stated that facial biometrics testing was in use in select vehicle lanes at the Peace Bridge Port of Entry for travelers arriving in the United States.
Officials say that the facial recognition technology will be deployed at inbound lanes 14, 15, and 16, and that those lanes will be clearly marked as “Biometric.”
“As travelers approach the vehicle lanes, the camera will attempt to take a photo of each occupant in the vehicle and match it to photos of those travelers already in government holdings, such as passport, visa, or prior encounters, to verify identity,” CBP said.
The facial biometrics test will remain in use at the facility until March 2025.
CBP expects minimal traffic disruptions, and photo capture is completely passive, meaning no action is required by the traveler to participate in the pilot.
In the interest of protecting privacy, CBP plans to delete all photos of U.S. citizens within 12 hours of capture at the Port of Entry.
CBP hopes to use the facial biometrics technology to automate the manual document checks already in place.
“CBP is excited to continue testing a range of facial biometric technologies and configurations in the vehicle lanes at the land borders to further innovate the entry process,” said Diane J. Sabatino, Acting Executive Assistant Commissioner of Field Operations, CBP. “To support our land border mission, we are challenging industry to design the optimal solution for our most demanding environment as we further secure and streamline travel.”
CBP has tested facial biometrics in vehicle lanes at southern border crossings in Anzalduas, Texas in 2018 and at the Mariposa Port of Entry in Nogales, Arizona, last summer, but this is the agency’s first time deploying the technology at the northern border.
“The test in Buffalo will give CBP an opportunity to assess how the facial biometric technology performs in a challenging winter environment,” officials said.