U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is set to implement a new policy requiring the photographing of Canadian travelers at all land borders and airports. This initiative aims to enhance security and streamline the identification process for individuals entering and exiting the United States.

Warren Shepell, a Canadian psychologist, recently experienced this firsthand while boarding a flight from Cleveland to Toronto. He reported that two uniformed officers approached him on the boarding ramp and took his photo without explanation. "I was aghast. I felt ambushed," Shepell said. He expressed feelings of violation, stating, "They didn't tell me anything, and I just feel violated."

The new policy is part of a broader expansion of CBP's facial biometrics program, which has been in place for nearly a decade. This program uses facial recognition technology to confirm the identities of international passengers arriving at U.S. airports. The agency plans to extend this practice to include photographs of departing passengers at all international airports, as well as at sea ports and land borders. Full implementation at land borders is expected by next year, while airports and sea ports will follow within three to five years.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a new rule that will require non-U.S. citizens, including Canadians, to participate in the facial biometrics program starting December 26. Photos taken of foreign travelers will be stored in a DHS database for up to 75 years. CBP spokesperson Jessica Turner stated that this expansion fulfills a Congressional mandate to record the majority of foreign nationals entering and exiting the U.S. She emphasized that the program is designed to enhance security and enforce immigration laws.

Privacy concerns have been raised regarding the use of facial biometrics. Jeramie Scott, senior counsel at the U.S. Electronic Privacy Information Center, warned that the infrastructure could lead to misuse of personal data. He noted that the lack of federal regulations on facial biometrics in the U.S. raises significant privacy issues. "The creation of the infrastructure just creates the possibility of mission creep," Scott said, referring to the potential for data to be used beyond its original purpose.

Currently, CBP uses fixed auto-capture cameras at airport arrivals but relies on officers to photograph travelers at departures. The process at land borders will be less visible, as CBP is testing technology to capture images of passengers in vehicles. Turner stated that the program aims to provide a fast and accurate method for verifying identities.

While Canadians can currently opt out of the facial biometrics program, this option will end with the new rule in December. Shepell expressed frustration over not being informed of the opt-out option during his encounter. "I just don't trust the system," he said, emphasizing his advocacy for privacy.

The expansion of facial biometrics may deter some Canadians from traveling to the U.S. U.S. immigration lawyer Len Saunders noted that the policy could negatively impact the Canadian tourism industry. "It's definitely not helping encourage foreigners to come to the United States," he said.

Travel to the U.S. from Canada has already seen a decline since President Trump took office, with a reported 27 percent drop in air travel and nearly 35 percent in land travel in September compared to the previous year. Saunders believes that even if travel numbers decrease further due to privacy concerns, the Trump administration is unlikely to take action to encourage tourism. "They don't seem to be in the business of encouraging tourism," he said.

As the implementation date approaches, many Canadians are left to consider the implications of this new policy on their travel plans and personal privacy.