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U.S. biometric expansion?

First: Happy New Year! Second: I stumbled upon this news clip...

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced in mid-December that it is expanding the categories of non-U.S. citizens required to provide digital fingerprints and a photograph upon entry to the United States.

Additional non-U.S. citizens required to provide biometrics include:
  • Lawful permanent residents of the United States (LPRs);

  • Persons entering the United States who seek admission on immigrant visas; and

  • Canadian citizens who are currently required to obtain a Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Document upon entry or require a waiver of inadmissibility to enter the United States.

Linking a person’s biometric information to his or her travel documents reduces the risk that a traveler’s identity or documents could be intentionally misused by someone attempting to gain entry into the United States, DHS said in a statement.

Biometric collection requirements apply to most non-U.S. citizens, with limited exemptions, entering the United States regardless of country of origin or whether they are traveling on a visa or by air, sea or land. Non-U.S. citizens under the age of 14 and over the age of 79 are exempt. The enforcement deadline was not revealed.

I'm traveling to the US in 2 weeks for business. In the last 4 times I've travelled the officer has handled my paperwork at first screening rather than secondary (incidentally, all trips were through Pearson).

I'm wondering if all this is about to change. If anyone has any recent experience, please feel free to comment/share.

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