The Department of Homeland Security is rolling out a new surveillance dragnet for non-U.S. citizens at any point of departure from the country, starting the day after Christmas.
The new rule allows Customs and Border Protection to photograph visitors, immigrants and green card holders leaving the United States. As the agency noted in its announcement in the Federal Register, there is currently no system in place to collect biometric data on people leaving the country.
In the announcement, agency heads said they want to collect biometric data of people coming into the country to compare it with the data of people leaving. They said the data would be used to combat potential terror threats, prevent visa overstays and visa fraud. It also does away with a rule that those under 14 and over 79 were exempt from having to submit to having their photo taken.
DHS is collecting comments from the public on the implementation until Nov. 26.
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ICE held about 60,000 people as of Sept. 21, the most recent data available. In the prior month, 1,151 detainees were held in isolation for at least one day — the most ever. The count has topped 1,000 every month since April. -
An Arizona tribal member got mixed up in a close-call mistake made by local authorities at an Iowa jail after nearly being turned over to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. -
The U-visa is approved in limited quantities to immigrant victims of certain crimes who agree to work with law enforcement. If approved, it provides a path to a green card and a work permit. -
The Tucson Baseball Team was scheduled to host its fifth home series game at Tucson’s Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium starting Nov. 18. But the team says it’ll be playing those games in Mexicali, Mexico, instead amid ongoing issues getting U.S. visas. -
The complaints come at the same time as Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum navigates delicate negotiations with the Trump administration, one analyst says.
