FAIR Submits Public Comment in Support of DHS Rule Strengthening Biometric Entry-Exit System

Would improve ability to verify identities, combat visa overstays and fraud

WASHINGTON—The Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) has submitted a public comment supporting the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) final rule, Collection and Use of Biometrics by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, which provides that DHS may require biometric identification of any alien upon entry to, or exit from, the United States.

FAIR’s comment outlines strong support for the rule and lays out how it would significantly improve DHS’s ability to verify alien travelers’ identities and provide valuable tools to combat visa overstays and fraud. As FAIR points out, the rule makes strides to achieve statutory mandates for a fully operational biometric entry-exit system without impeding or disrupting travel.

While DHS has made significant progress in adopting biometric identification upon entry, the entry-exit system is still not in place at all ports. As a result, DHS cannot reliably confirm when aliens have departed the country and visa overstays remain a serious challenge. Using biometrics, namely facial recognition, to verify an alien’s identity upon departure from the United States helps to confirm both that aliens have departed and that they cannot unlawfully reenter the country using another identity. Biometric confirmation of departures will also free up DHS resources currently spent determining whether an alien has overstayed their visa.

In Fiscal Year 2024 alone, DHS estimated that there were 538,548 overstay events, or specific instances where nonimmigrant aliens overstayed their visas. These numbers raise serious concerns, especially since history has shown that such individuals may pose a threat to national security while on U.S. soil.

“This final rule will enable the department to better address visa overstays, document fraud, and potential national security threats,” said Dale Wilcox, FAIR’s executive director and general counsel. “We welcome this effort and encourage DHS to continue testing additional biometric technologies to ensure that all aliens have their identities verified when entering or exiting the country.”

FAIR’s full public comment can be seen here ([link removed]) .

ABOUT FAIR

Founded in 1979, FAIR ([link removed]) is the country’s largest immigration reform group. With over 3 million members and supporters nationwide, FAIR fights for immigration policies that serve national interests, not special interests. FAIR believes that immigration reform must enhance national security, improve the economy, protect jobs, preserve our environment, and establish a rule of law that is recognized and enforced.

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