avel Face scans are replacing passports at US airports. Here’s who can — and can’t — opt out By Isabel Keane, Facial recognition technology may soon make passports a thing of the past at U.S. airports. Instead of handing over identification documents when returning from an international trip, travelers will likely soon just walk up to a screen and have their picture taken before a machine clears them to continue. U.S. Customs and Border Protection is planning to expand contactless airport arrivals using facial biometric technology at airports across the country, Diane Sabatino, the executive assistant commissioner of CBP’s Office of Field Operations, told the Washington Examiner. “In a few years… people with Global Entry are going to be walking through at all of our airports, unless a CBP officer wants to speak to that traveler,” Sabatino said. Facial recognition for arriving international passengers is available at 238 U.S. airports, comparing a picture of the passenger to an existing government image of that person. Facial recognition technology may soon become even more widespread at US airports, according to a report (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) The facial comparison technology was first implemented in May 2025 as part of CBP’s Enhanced Passenger Processing, which allows U.S. citizens to walk up to a stand for an ID check instead of talking with an officer. Additionally, a faster version for U.S. citizens called Enhanced Passenger Processing is available at 33 airports. Another program, Seamless Border Entry, allows pre-approved Global Entry travelers through in under three seconds at seven airports. CBP, the country’s largest police agency, has over 35,000 officers who are responsible for inspecting people, goods and vehicles that arrive at airports, seaports and crossings with Canada and Mexico.