U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), whose Exit/Entry Program was recognized in the 2018 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program for Excellence in Homeland Security, has reported that officers thwarted attempts by two Cameroon women earlier this month, who attempted to gain illegal entry into the United States at Washington Dulles International Airport, with the help of biometric facial comparison technology.
The two women arrived separately at a CBP primary inspection booth after their flight arrived from Brussels, Belgium, with each woman presenting a counterfeit U.S. passport to a CBP officer.
CBP’s biometric facial comparison technology reported a mismatch between each woman and the true bearers of the U.S. passports.
The CBP primary inspection officer referred both women to a secondary examination, and during separate interviews, both women immediately admitted that they purchased the U.S. passports.
CBP determined the women to be impostors for deliberately attempting to use genuine travel documents that were lawfully issued to other people.
CBP is not releasing the women’s names because neither woman was criminally charged however, CBP seized the fake passports and ordered the women to be expeditiously removed from the United States.
CBP uses biometric facial comparison technology to further secure and enhance the international arrivals process while protecting the privacy of all travelers.
FASTER MEETS MORE SECURE
CBP is constantly evolving to meet the security needs of our nation.
Biometric Facial Comparison is just one of the many ways we are protecting our borders while delivering a safer, more efficient travel experience.
Here are just a few of the advantages biometric technology delivers:
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Simplifies inspections and greatly reduces imposter threats.
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Requires no direct contact and prevents the spread of germs.
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Allows CBP Officers to focus more time on traveler safety.
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Confirms traveler identity with more accuracy, security and efficiency than ever before.
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Streamlines the existing passport checks.
Facial comparison technology for entry is currently deployed at 32 airports encompassing a total of 20 terminals, which includes nine Preclearance locations.
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Biometric Exit is deployed at 28 airports encompassing a total of 21 terminals.
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There are 7 seaports where it is in use by cruise lines.
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Along our southern land borders, thousands of daily travelers going to and from work encounter the technology as a way to make their commutes faster and more efficient.
(CBP uses facial comparison technology to help verify a traveler entering the United States matches the passport presented. Learn More about the technology and how it compares an image of the traveler taken during the normal inspection process to the image stored on the traveler’s ePassport, verifying that the traveler is the rightful document holder. Courtesy of the CBP, Bridget Bosch and YouTube.)
When travelers arrive from overseas, they pause for a photo at the primary inspection point.
That photograph is then compared to the traveler’s passport or visa photo retrieved from government holdings.
Since September 2018, CBP has leveraged facial biometrics to prevent more than 500 imposters from illegally entering the United States.
“This is a great example of how Customs and Border Protection officers use their law enforcement experience coupled with biometric facial comparison technology to intercept impostors deliberately masquerading as lawful travelers,” explained Keith Fleming, Acting Director of Field Operations for CBP’s Baltimore Field Office.
“Impostors violate U.S. immigration law and may pose a serious threat to our national security.”
To date, more than 68 million travelers have participated in the biometric facial comparison process at air, sea and land ports of entry.
The use of facial biometrics provides travelers with a secure, touchless travel experience and continues the fulfillment of a longstanding Congressional mandate to biometrically record the entry and exit of non-U.S. citizens.
CBP officers screen international travelers and cargo and search for illicit narcotics, unreported currency, weapons, counterfeit consumer goods, prohibited agriculture, and other illicit products that could potentially harm the American public, U.S. businesses, and our nation’s safety and economic vitality.
Please visit CBP Ports of Entry to learn more about how CBP’s Office of Field Operations secures our nation’s borders.
To Learn More about CBP biometrics, go to biometrics.cbp.gov/.
CBP Recognized in 2018 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program
American Security Today’s ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards program is now in its Sixth Year and continues to recognize the Outstanding Innovations of top firms and agencies in the Homeland Security and Public Safety fields.
2020 was a very challenging year for everyone due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the much heralded AST ‘ASTORS’ Awards Winners Presentations and exclusive Luncheon at the Jacob Javits Center in NYC had to be canceled and rescheduled for 2021 due to the virus.
However, the 2020 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program was again a huge success and many new categories were added including a section for COVID-19 Detection and Innovation.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
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‘Excellence in Homeland Security’
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CBP Entry/Exit Program
The 2020 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program was sponsored by ATI Systems, Attivo Networks, Automatic Systems, Desktop Alert, X.Labs and Reed Exhibitions, every one a returning Sponsor from 2020, 2019 and More.
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards at https://americansecuritytoday.com/ast-awards/.
Comprehensive List of Categories Include:
| Access Control/ Identification | Personal/Protective Equipment | Law Enforcement Counter Terrorism |
| Perimeter Barrier/ Deterrent System | Interagency Interdiction Operation | Cloud Computing/Storage Solution |
| Facial/IRIS Recognition | Body Worn Video Product | Cyber Security |
| Video Surveillance/VMS | Mobile Technology | Anti-Malware |
| Audio Analytics | Disaster Preparedness | ID Management |
| Thermal/Infrared Camera | Mass Notification System | Fire & Safety |
| Metal/Weapon Detection | Rescue Operations | Critical Infrastructure |
| License Plate Recognition | Detection Products | And Many Others! |
| COVID Innovations | And Many Others! |
Don’t see a Direct Hit for your Product, Agency or Organization?
With the unprecedented occurrence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the focus of the safety and security industries has realized the need to increase innovations to address the daily growing challenges.
As such AST aims to make sure these firms and professionals are reflected in the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program, so we’d like to encourage you to submit appropriate categories recommendations and include COVID-19 Frontline Professionals in your Nominations to see that these Professionals, Facilities, and Vendors receive the Recognition they Deserve!
Submit your category recommendation for consideration to Michael Madsen, AST Publisher at: mmadsen@americansecuritytoday.com.
Why American Security Today?
The traditional security marketplace has long been covered by a host of publications putting forward the old school basics to what is Today – a fast changing security landscape.
The traditional security marketplace has long been covered by a host of publications putting forward the old school basics to what is Today – a fast changing security landscape.
American Security Today is uniquely focused on the broader Homeland Security & Public Safety marketplace with over 75,000 readers at the Federal, State and local levels of government as well as firms allied to government.
American Security Today brings forward a fresh compelling look and read with our customized digital publications that hold readers eyes throughout the story with cutting edge editorial that provides solutions to their challenges.
Harness the Power of the Web – with our 100% Mobile Friendly Publications
The AST Digital Publications is distributed to over 75,000 qualified government and homeland security professionals in federal, state and local levels.
‘PROTECTING OUR NATION, ONE CITY AT A TIME’
AST Reaches both Private & Public Experts, essential to meeting these new challenges.
Today’s new generation of public safety and security experts need real-time knowledge to deal with domestic and international terrorism, lone wolf attacks, unprecedented urban violence, shifts in society, culture and media bias – making it increasingly difficult for Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Military and Private Security Professionals to implement coordinated security measures to ensure national security and improve public safety.
These experts are from Government at the federal, state and local level as well as from private firms allied to government.
AST provides a full plate of topics in our AST Monthly Magazine Editions, AST Website and AST Daily News Alerts, covering 23 Vital Sectors such as Access Control, Perimeter Protection, Video Surveillance/Analytics, Airport Security, Border Security, CBRNE Detection, Border Security, Ports, Cybersecurity, Networking Security, Encryption, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Campus Security, Security Services, Corporate Facilities, and Emergency Response among others.
AST has Expanded readership into integral Critical Infrastructure audiences such as Protection of Nuclear Facilities, Water Plants & Dams, Bridges & Tunnels, and other potential targets of terrorism.
Other areas of concern include Transportation Hubs, Public Assemblies, Government Facilities, Sporting & Concert Stadiums, our Nation’s Schools & Universities, and Commercial Business Destinations – all enticing targets due to the large number of persons and resources clustered together.
To learn more about the 2020 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Award Winners solutions, Check Out the New 2020 ‘ASTORS’ CHAMPIONS Edition Fully Interactive Magazine – the Best Products of 2020 ‘A Year in Review’.
The Annual CHAMPIONS edition includes a review of the ‘ASTORS’ Award Winning products and programs, highlighting key details on many of the winning firms products and services, includes video interviews and more.
It is your Go-To source throughout the year for ‘The Best of 2020 Products and Services‘ endorsed by American Security Today, and can satisfy your agency’s and organization’s most pressing Homeland Security and Public Safety needs.
From Physical Security (Access Control, Critical Infrastructure, Perimeter Protection and Video Surveillance Cameras and Video Management Systems), to IT Security (Cybersecurity, Encryption, Data Storage, Anti-Malware and Networking Security – Just to name a few), the 2020 ‘ASTORS’ CHAMPIONS EDITION has what you need to Detect, Delay, Respond to, and Mitigate today’s real-time threats in our constantly evolving security landscape.
It also includes featured guest editorial pieces from some of the security industry’s most respected leaders, and recognized firms in the 2020 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program.
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For a complete list of 2020 ‘ASTORS’ Award Winners, click here.
For more information on All Things American Security Today, and the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program, please contact Michael Madsen, AST Publisher at mmadsen@americansecuritytoday.com.
AST strives to meet a 3 STAR trustworthiness rating, based on the following criteria:
- Provides named sources
- Reported by more than one notable outlet
- Includes supporting video, direct statements, or photos
