Latest news with #EnhancedPassengerProcessing
UPI
3 days ago
- Business
- UPI
LAX launches biometric identification for travelers
International travelers arrive at Los Angeles International Airport in 2020. On Thursday, U.S. Customs and Border Protection launched a biometric recognition system for arriving U.S. passengers at the airport. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo Aug. 14 (UPI) -- U.S. Customs and Border Protection has launched Enhanced Passenger Processing, a streamlined security system for international travelers, at Los Angeles International Airport, the agency announced Thursday. "The innovative biometric solution is designed to streamline international arrivals experiences for U.S. citizens, reducing wait times in the international arrivals process," CBP said in a statement. Auto-capture cameras snap photos when a U.S. citizen arrives at an inspection area at LAX and uses biometric facial comparison technology to identify the traveler. The technology provides a "touchless, seamless, and secure arrival experience," CBP continued. The agency said officials have seen a 25% reduction in wait times nationally for U.S. citizens using the system. While the photo capture system is touchless, a CBP agent is stationed nearby to assist travelers with questions or address any issues that arise with the system. "Any passenger wishing not to participate in the EPP process will need to notify an officer and they will then go through the standard entry process," said CBP Acting LAX Port Director Oscar Acuna. The agency said it will expand EPP to other areas of LAX in the near future.
USA Today
10-06-2025
- USA Today
You might be able to get through customs quicker at these airports
You might be able to get through customs quicker at these airports Show Caption Hide Caption Safeguard your data privacy while flying and sharing on social media These important data privacy tips can protect you when flying and sharing content on social media. U.S. Customs and Border Protection is implementing new technologies to expedite the customs process for international travelers. Enhanced Passenger Processing (EPP) uses automated photo capture to pre-screen U.S. citizens at various airports and border crossings. Seamless Border Entry further expedites screening for Global Entry members at select airports using "On The Move" technology to speed up screening. Travelers returning to the U.S. will have new ways to navigate customs this summer at many major airports and border crossing points, and they may be able to avoid waiting in long lines after getting off a long flight. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) highlighted two technologically enhanced screening options that make passport processing faster for arriving passengers using upgraded biometric screening technologies at various checkpoints. "CBP is committed to enhancing national security while streamlining lawful travel," CBP's Acting Executive Assistant Commissioner Diane J. Sabatino said in a statement. "By leveraging advanced technologies and mobile applications, we are transforming inspections at airports into a seamless, touchless process, enabling faster risk identification and efficient processing of legitimate visitors." Enhanced Passenger Processing is available to all U.S. citizens, but Seamless Border Entry requires Global Entry enrollment. Here's what travelers need to know about these CBP upgrades and where they can take advantage of them on their next trip. Enhanced Passenger Processing Enhanced Passenger Processing uses automatic photo capturing at checkpoints to notify CBP officers about travelers' details before they reach the passport check. According to the CBP, the assessment provided by the EPP array includes biometric confirmation, entry eligibility and the need for enforcement before the passenger reaches the agent. That profile allows the screening to happen faster. EPP is available for the U.S. at these CBP locations, according to the agency: Orlando International Airport Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport Denver International Airport Charlotte Douglas International Airport Seattle-Tacoma International Airport Cross Border Xpress (San Diego/Tijuana) Chicago O'Hare International Airport Los Angeles International Airport Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Dublin Airport (Ireland) Seamless Border Entry Global Entry members can benefit from even faster screening at some airports. CBP is using "On The Move" technology, which screens passengers as they move through the terminal rather than requiring them to process them at a kiosk. According to CBP, Seamless Border Entry allows Global Entry enrollees "to move through the inspection process seamlessly with minimal interaction with a CBP officer, depending on officer discretion." Seamless Border Entry is available at these CBP locations, according to the agency: Los Angeles International Airport Miami International Airport Washington Dulles International Airport Chicago O'Hare International Airport Newark Liberty International Airport George Bush Continental Airport Toronto Pierson International Airport (Canada) Travelers who do not have Global Entry and do not wish to participate in EPP can also take advantage of CBP's Mobile Passport Control app to streamline their experience at the border. Zach Wichter is a travel reporter and writes the Cruising Altitude column for USA TODAY. He is based in New York and you can reach him at zwichter@
Time Out
09-06-2025
- Time Out
JFK customs will look a little different on your next trip—here's what to know
If you're landing at JFK this summer and are able to breeze through customs like a VIP, don't thank your lucky stars—thank your face. American Airlines and U.S. Customs and Border Protection have rolled out a new facial recognition system at JFK's Terminal 8, making it the latest major airport to join the Enhanced Passenger Processing (EPP) club. The system is designed to speed up reentry for U.S. citizens by verifying identities in seconds, not minutes, all without so much as pulling out your passport. Here's how it works: A live image of your face is snapped and instantly matched to your passport photo stored in a government database. If it checks out, you're cleared for reentry before you even reach a CBP officer. The whole thing is contactless, pre-enrollment-free, and very sci-fi, but in a 'Jetsons meets JFK' kind of way. Roughly 45-percent of travelers at Terminal 8 are U.S. citizens, QNS reports, and they're the only ones currently eligible for the biometric shortcut. While it's separate from Global Entry, EPP promises a similar time-saving benefit without the hassle of interviews or membership fees. American Airlines is the first (and so far, only) carrier at the airport to implement the system, but officials say it's part of a larger shift toward contactless travel. 'EPP has already had an impact on the overall customer journey,' Sylvia Rodriguez, managing director of JFK Operations for American Airlines, told the outlet. Translation: Shorter lines, faster exits and fewer sighs of airport despair. But it's not all smooth flying. Privacy advocates, including the ACLU, have raised eyebrows about facial recognition at ports of entry—especially when deployed alongside agencies like ICE. CBP insists that photos of U.S. citizens are deleted within 12 hours and that the data won't be used beyond customs, but critics are calling for more transparency and guardrails. Still, JFK now joins the ranks of other major hubs like LAX, ATL and ORD in betting big on biometrics. As air travel booms back post-pandemic, airport tech is racing to keep up and this touchless check-in may be just the beginning. Opting out? You still can! Traditional passport lines remain open for those who prefer the analog experience. But for everyone else, it turns out the fastest way through JFK might just be a smile.
Miami Herald
29-05-2025
- Miami Herald
New relief for international travelers to the U.S. amid Trump-era restrictions
As immigration controls tighten under the Trump administration, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has released a series of announcements that could make travel easier for international visitors this summer. The federal agency is implementing several measures to streamline the entry process at U.S. airports ahead of a busy season that is expected to bring millions of travelers from around the world. CBP is actively encouraging international passengers to take advantage of mobile tools designed to make their arrival to the U.S. faster and more efficient. CBP technology streamlines entry process for international travelers 'CBP is committed to enhancing national security while streamlining lawful travel,' said CBP Acting Executive Assistant Commissioner Diane J. Sabatino. 'By leveraging advanced technologies and mobile applications, we are transforming inspections at airports into a seamless, touchless process, enabling faster risk identification and efficient processing of legitimate visitors,' she added in a news release. This summer also marks the debut of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, scheduled from June 14 to July 13. The tournament, hosted for the first time in the United States, is expected to draw millions of international visitors — alongside the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026. Together, the events could bring in up to 10 million foreign travelers, according to CBP estimates. Read more: Skip the REAL ID and the passport: This $65 card can get you through TSA in 2025 CBP's modernization efforts include Enhanced Passenger Processing (EPP), which uses auto-capture photo technology to conduct a complete customs assessment: biometric verification, eligibility checks and enforcement review — before a traveler even meets a CBP officer. Another option, Seamless Border Entry (SBE), combines the Trusted Traveler Programs framework with 'On the Move' technology. This system allows Global Entry members to move through inspection with little or no interaction with a CBP officer, depending on officer discretion, authorities said. SBE is currently available at select airports, including Miami International, Los Angeles International, Washington Dulles, Chicago O'Hare, Newark Liberty, George Bush Intercontinental and Toronto Pearson. CBP also offers a suite of free mobile applications, available through the Google Play Store, Apple App Store, or via the CBP Mobile Apps Directory. These tools allow eligible travelers to submit passport information in advance and speed up their inspection upon arrival. U.S. entry requirements in 2025: What visa waiver travelers need to know Travelers entering under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) can use the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) mobile app to submit applications via smartphones, tablets, or other mobile devices. ESTA is also available online for those unable to download the app. Regardless of how travelers enter the U.S., CBP reminds all visitors that they must meet legal requirements, present proper documentation, undergo background checks and inspections, and comply with the terms of their visa or authorization. Read more: Just days after Trump's inauguration, USCIS updates a crucial U.S. green card requirement 'If statutes or visa terms are violated, travelers may be subject to detention and removal,' the agency warns. 'A visa is a privilege, not a right, and only those who respect our laws and follow the proper procedures will be welcomed.' Throughout the Trump administration, U.S. embassies and federal agencies have reiterated the importance of adhering to the 90-day limit allowed under ESTA. Domestically, CBP continues to enforce stricter identity controls for U.S.-bound travelers through the implementation of REAL ID, which went into effect on May 7, 2025, for boarding international flights.
