The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is accelerating the rollout of biometric screening, including facial recognition technology, to better identify individuals with criminal records attempting to enter the United States. Secretary Markwayne Mullin stated that nearly half of those claiming no criminal history are found to have one when biometric checks are conducted.
Mullin's comments come in response to a House intelligence committee report highlighting the delayed implementation of biometric entry-exit screening, a recommendation from the 2004 9/11 Commission report. The report noted that at least two of the 19 hijackers from the September 11th attacks used fraudulent or altered passports.
"We are trying to get biometrics out there as fast as we can," Mullin said, emphasizing that under the previous administration, many individuals were paroled into the country without thorough identity verification. "When we do biometrics we find all kinds of stuff."
The intelligence committee recommended the adoption of border patrol booths equipped with biometric scanners for faces, irises, and fingerprints, citing systems used in Europe's Schengen Area as a model. The committee specifically pointed out vulnerabilities at U.S. land borders with Canada and Mexico in terms of scanning individuals entering the country. While air travelers are currently subject to facial scans upon entry, the system does not consistently scan outbound passengers, complicating verification of departure.
Citizens from 42 countries are eligible to enter the U.S. without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program, but they are required to declare any criminal history prior to entry. Mullin attributed some of the rollout delays to funding lapses, including a 76-day shutdown for the department earlier this year and a 43-day partial government shutdown late last year.
"Keep in mind we were still shut down 76 straight days and we were shut down four times in a year. That’s hard to roll out what we want," Mullin said. He added that DHS has a strong working relationship with the Senate and House committees overseeing the department, both of which support the implementation of enhanced security measures.
The DHS's "Operation Rotten Apple," which recently concluded, led to the arrest of 2,200 undocumented migrants in New York state, including individuals with convictions for murder, rape, and drug trafficking, according to the department.