CBP Brings Simplified Arrival Biometric Border Program to Las Vegas

US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) continues to push its Simplified Arrival system at an accelerated rate. The biometric screening platform has now been deployed at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, making it the fifth airport to receive the technology in the past few months alone. The others are Miami International Airport, San Francisco International Airport, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, and Los Angeles International Airport, all of which have implemented Simplified Arrival since the beginning of September.

Simplified Arrival uses facial recognition to match a new photo of a traveler taken at an inspection point to a stored image on an identity document like a passport. New photos of US citizens are stored for 12 hours, while new photos of foreign nationals are stored indefinitely in a Department of Homeland Security database. US citizens can also choose to opt out of the facial recognition process, in which case they will be directed to an agent for a more traditional, manual inspection. The same is true for foreign nationals who cannot be matched with a scan.

The Simplified Arrival system builds on McCarran’s existing biometric screening capabilities. The airport already offers face-based biometric boarding to international travelers departing on outbound flights. McCarran is hoping that the technology will make people feel more comfortable traveling in the wake of COVID-19.

“McCarran looks forward to more international travelers returning to Las Vegas and when they do, Simplified Arrival will help ensure a seamless experience,” said Clark County Aviation Director Rosemary Vassiliadis. “As a destination known for world-class experiences, we are proud to provide a more efficient welcome for those traveling here from around the world.”

“The upgraded system has taken most of the administrative work away from the officers, allowing them to provide each traveler with a more personal experience,” added Las Vegas Port Director Warren Eales.

CBP has also installed facial recognition at the Peace Bridge pedestrian border in Buffalo, NY.

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December 4, 2020 – by Eric Weiss