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What biometrics does U.S. Customs and Border Protection collect from U.S. citizens at ports of entry in 2025?
Executive summary
Available reporting and federal documents in this search show two parallel developments in 2025: [1] U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) finalized a rule that expands biometric collection from non‑U.S. travelers (aliens) at entry and exit points — explicitly authorizing photographs and other biometrics from noncitizens effective December 26, 2025 [2] [3]; and [4] the Department of Homeland Security proposed a broader DHS rule that would expand biometrics across immigration processes and could require biometrics from some U.S. citizens associated with immigration filings [5] [6]. The CBP final rule’s stated operative biometric modalities emphasize facial photographs (with fingerprints and other biometrics discussed for noncitizens) while the DHS proposed rule lists many possible modalities including palm prints, voice, ocular imagery and DNA [2] [5] [7].
1. What CBP already finalized for ports of entry: a non‑citizen‑focused expansion
CBP’s October 2025 final rule amends DHS entry/exit regulations to permit photographing “aliens” entering and exiting the United States and removes prior pilot‑and‑port limits, making nationwide collection of photos and other biometrics for non‑U.S. travelers the baseline as of the rule’s stated effective date, December 26, 2025 [2] [3]. CBP and DHS materials and coverage repeatedly describe photographs (facial biometrics) as the principal modality for the entry/exit modernization and note that CBP may also require “other biometrics” from non‑exempt noncitizens, with implementations driven by operational needs and privacy assessments [8] [3].
2. What these sources say about biometric types CBP collects at ports of entry (citizens vs. noncitizens)
The final CBP rule and agency notices frame the authority as applying to “aliens” (noncitizens); they state DHS may require photographs when entering/exiting and may collect additional biometrics from non‑exempt aliens [2] [9]. Multiple news outlets and the CBP press release emphasize that the rule formalizes photographing noncitizens and extends fingerprinting and other modalities for non‑U.S. travelers, but they do not describe a program that mandates routine fingerprinting or DNA collection from U.S. citizens at ports of entry [10] [11] [12] [8]. Available sources do not mention routine biometric collection (beyond voluntary or optional alternatives) being imposed on U.S. citizens by the CBP final rule at ports of entry (not found in current reporting).
3. DHS’s separate proposed rule that could affect some U.S. citizens
In early November 2025 DHS published a separate proposed rule (USCIS‑centered) that would expand biometric collection across immigration benefit processes and eliminate some prior age exemptions; that proposal explicitly contemplates requiring biometrics from people “associated” with applications — a category DHS acknowledges could include U.S. citizens — and lists broad reuse/sharing of those biometrics across federal, state and local law enforcement and intelligence partners [5] [6]. That is a proposed DHS regulatory change, not the CBP final rule; it would apply mainly in the immigration benefits context rather than the routine port‑of‑entry inspection process [6] [5].
4. Range of biometric modalities discussed in 2025 coverage
The DHS proposal and some legal‑industry summaries name an expansive range of possible modalities under consideration: facial photos, fingerprints, palm prints, voice recognition, ocular imagery (iris/retina), and even DNA among others [7] [5]. By contrast, CBP’s entry/exit final rule and agency statements emphasize facial biometrics (photographs) as the operational centerpiece, while noting authority to collect other biometrics from noncitizens as appropriate [8] [2].
5. Practical distinctions, privacy framing and stakeholder reactions
CBP describes the entry/exit change as operational modernization to streamline travel and close gaps for noncitizens, and offers that U.S. citizens who opt out of facial biometric processes can request manual document checks [8]. Civil‑liberties groups and some reporters call the CBP expansion a broad surveillance escalation; DHS/CBP point to privacy impact assessments and signage/notice obligations [12] [13] [8]. The DHS proposed USCIS rule drew explicit concern because it would enable biometrics reuse and cross‑agency sharing, and could sweep in U.S. citizens tied to immigration filings [5].
6. Bottom line for a U.S. citizen travelling in 2025
Based on the sources provided: the CBP final rule enacted in late 2025 authorizes photographing and expanded biometric collection targeted at non‑U.S. travelers at entry and exit points [2] [3]. The materials and press accounts do not report a CBP mandate to routinely capture fingerprints, iris scans or DNA from ordinary U.S. citizens at ports of entry; meanwhile, a separate DHS proposal could (if finalized) require broader biometric collection across immigration processes and might affect some U.S. citizens associated with immigration filings [8] [5]. Available sources do not mention routine fingerprint, ocular, voice or DNA collection from all U.S. citizens at ports of entry in 2025 (not found in current reporting).
Limitations: this synthesis relies only on the documents and reporting in the supplied search results and does not incorporate materials beyond those items; readers should consult the full Federal Register notices and CBP/USCIS web pages for operational details and any changes after publication [2] [6].