Sponsor
Byron Donalds
Representative · R-FL
Representative · R-FL
The bill increases transparency, risk assessment, and auditing around expanded biometric entry/exit systems—potentially improving reliability and reducing travel disruptions—but it also expands biometric collection and private‑sector data flows that raise significant privacy, cross‑border data, cost, and implementation‑risk concerns.
Travelers, ports, and trade will get a formal assessment of how expanded biometric entry/exit systems affect travel and trade, helping identify and reduce disruptions at ports of entry.
Taxpayers and Congress gain clearer oversight because DHS must report implementation status and performance metrics within 180 days, increasing transparency of CBP biometric entry/exit efforts.
Immigrants and border communities benefit from required reporting on risks, mitigation measures, and private‑sector device audits, which can improve privacy, security, and system reliability if followed.
Non‑citizen travelers and border communities face increased privacy and surveillance risks from expanded biometric collection and matching at ports of entry.
Use of private‑sector biometric devices and cross‑border data sharing (including with Canada) could expose personal data to third parties or cross‑border transfer risks for travelers.
Implementation and operational costs of expanded biometric systems could lead to higher traveler fees or divert resources at ports, affecting taxpayers, travelers, and transportation workers.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Requires DHS to report to Congress within 180 days on CBP's biometric entry/exit system implementation, impacts, matching methods, and Canada data sharing.
Official title: To evaluate U.S. Customs and Border Protection's implementation of an integrated biometric entry and exit data system in the United States, and for other purposes.
Introduced April 20, 2026 by Byron Donalds · Last progress April 20, 2026
Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to report to four congressional committees within 180 days on Customs and Border Protection’s implementation of the integrated biometric entry/exit system, covering implementation status, effects on travel and trade, security and visa‑compliance outcomes, privacy protections, device audits/consultations, milestones/metrics, risks and mitigations, and cross‑border data sharing with Canada. Directs DHS to minimize disruption to travel while collecting biometrics for counterterrorism and visa compliance and clarifies DHS may continue other biometric collections and collect certain user fees.