Washington Joins California, Florida, Texas, New York, Illinois, and Others to Impose Mandatory Biometric Identity Verification for Travelers Starting December 26 This Year: Everything You Need To Know

Published on December 13, 2025

Starting December 26, 2025, Washington, California, Florida, Texas, New York, Illinois, and others will enforce mandatory biometric identity verification for travelers to enhance security and efficiency. This significant change, rolled out by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), mandates that all non-U.S. citizens, including Green Card holders, undergo facial recognition technology upon entry and exit at U.S. ports of entry. The initiative, which spans airports, seaports, and land crossings, aims to improve border security, combat fraud, and better track overstays. As the U.S. prepares for this nationwide rollout, travelers from these states will experience streamlined processes that enhance both security and efficiency. In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about the upcoming biometric verification system and how it will impact travel starting at the end of 2025.

Washington: A Northwestern Hub for Biometric Expansion

Washington State, particularly through the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), is steadily adopting biometric systems to enhance border security and ease of travel. SEA has already implemented facial recognition for both entry and exit, helping streamline the process for passengers. Additionally, Washington’s seaports, like those in Seattle, are included in the phased rollout for biometric entry, especially for cruise line passengers. As the DHS Final Rule approaches its nationwide deadline, Washington is poised to further expand its biometric systems to include more land ports and pedestrian crossings, making it an integral part of the U.S. security infrastructure.

California: Tech-Driven State with Major Airport Deployments

California is a critical hub for biometric technology with some of the largest and busiest international airports, including Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), and San Diego (SAN). These airports utilize biometric facial recognition for both entry and exit under the Simplified Arrival program. California’s port system also integrates facial recognition for cruise passengers, especially in Los Angeles/Long Beach and San Diego. The state’s role is pivotal as it serves as one of the largest entry points into the U.S., ensuring that biometric systems enhance both security and efficiency for millions of travelers annually. California’s innovative spirit supports the expansion of the DHS biometric initiative.

Florida: Leading the Charge in Biometric Airport Integration

Florida’s airports are among the most advanced in biometric implementation. International gateways such as Miami (MIA), Orlando (MCO), Tampa (TPA), and Fort Lauderdale (FLL) have fully integrated facial recognition for both entry and exit. With Florida being a popular destination for international travelers, the deployment of biometric systems is crucial to enhancing security and streamlining travel. Florida also has major seaports, including Port Canaveral and Port Everglades, where biometric technology for cruise passengers is already in use. As the DHS prepares for the nationwide rollout, Florida continues to expand its biometric capabilities, ensuring a smooth transition as the 2025 deadline approaches.

Texas: A Border State Embracing Biometric Land & Air Travel

As one of the busiest border states, Texas has seen a significant rollout of biometric systems, particularly in land border crossings. Cities like El Paso, Brownsville, and Laredo use facial recognition technology for pedestrian entry, ensuring efficient processing of travelers. Additionally, major Texas airports like Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) and Houston (IAH) have implemented biometric entry and exit procedures. With an expansive southern border and heavy international traffic, Texas plays a key role in the DHS initiative, combining air, land, and eventually sea biometric integration to ensure comprehensive security and smoother travel experiences.

New York: A Strategic Gateway for Biometric Travel Security

New York, with its bustling airports like JFK International (JFK) and Newark (EWR), plays a crucial role in the U.S. biometric entry and exit strategy. These airports have already deployed facial recognition technology as part of the Simplified Arrival program, making New York a vital piece of the national security puzzle. In addition to air travel, the state’s land ports, such as the Peace Bridge in Buffalo and Alexandria Bay, also feature biometric systems for pedestrian entry. As the rollout extends to 2025, New York will continue to be a key state in the biometric program, helping to verify identities and improve the efficiency of travel.

Illinois: Central Hub for Biometric Integration

Illinois, home to Chicago O’Hare (ORD) and Chicago Midway (MDW), is another state where biometric facial recognition has become a central part of the travel process. O’Hare, one of the busiest airports in the U.S., fully utilizes facial recognition technology for both entry and exit, enhancing the security and speed of international travel. As part of CBP’s nationwide implementation, Illinois’ involvement in the biometric program sets the stage for smoother international travel experiences. With its central location and heavy international traffic, Illinois is an essential player in ensuring the broader success of the biometric rollout across U.S. ports of entry.

Georgia: Atlanta’s Biometric Leadership for a Smooth Travel Experience

Georgia’s Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), one of the busiest airports in the world, is a pioneer in the use of biometric facial recognition technology. ATL utilizes this system for both Simplified Arrival (entry) and Biometric Exit, providing travelers with a faster, more secure process. The airport’s heavy international traffic makes it an ideal location for the implementation of such technology, ensuring high-volume processing without compromising security. As the DHS rolls out facial recognition technology nationwide, Georgia will remain a key player in shaping the future of international travel security and efficiency.

Arizona: A Pioneering State in Biometric Entry & Exit

Arizona is leading the way in biometric technology, with major airports like Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX) and Tucson International (TUS) fully implementing facial recognition for both entry and exit. As part of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Simplified Arrival program, travelers entering and exiting Arizona are processed through biometric facial comparison. The state also benefits from a strong border presence with land ports such as Nogales, San Luis, and Douglas where pedestrians must undergo biometric entry verification. As the U.S. gears up for mandatory biometric data collection in 2025, Arizona stands out for its comprehensive integration of this technology at both airports and land crossings.

DHS Biometric Collection Expansion: Key Details and Implementation Timeline

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is rolling out an expansive biometric data collection program, starting December 26, 2025, requiring all non-U.S. citizens (including Green Card holders) to undergo facial recognition for entry and exit at U.S. ports of entry. The program, aimed at improving security, combatting fraud, and tracking overstays, mandates the collection of facial biometric data across all transportation modes, including air, sea, and land ports. While U.S. citizens are allowed to opt out, the rule applies to a broader scope of travelers, with data retention for non-citizens potentially lasting up to 75 years. The implementation will be phased in across airports, seaports, and land crossings, with full implementation expected in the next three to five years.

Starting December 26, 2025, Washington, California, Florida, Texas, New York, Illinois, and others will enforce mandatory biometric identity verification for travelers to enhance security and efficiency.

Conclusion

Starting December 26, 2025, Washington, California, Florida, Texas, New York, Illinois, and other states will implement mandatory biometric identity verification for travelers, marking a pivotal shift in U.S. border security. This new initiative, designed to enhance both security and efficiency, will require all non-U.S. citizens, including Green Card holders, to undergo facial recognition technology at ports of entry across airports, seaports, and land crossings. By streamlining the entry and exit process, the program aims to combat fraud, improve the tracking of visa overstays, and ensure a safer and more efficient travel experience for everyone. As the U.S. moves toward full implementation, travelers must be prepared for these changes and understand how they will shape the future of travel security. With the rollout beginning in just a few months, staying informed is crucial for anyone planning international travel.