CBP is mandated by the U.S. Congress to use biometrics (the use of physical or behavioral characteristics to identify individuals through technology) for all arriving and departing international travelers; they have chosen facial recognition biometrics as their preferred method for achieving this goal. While the Port cannot prohibit this from occurring at SEA, we have made significant efforts to ensure traveler privacy, maximize equity, and provide the best customer experience.
International arrivals are fully controlled by the federal government, and CBP is implementing facial recognition to confirm that arriving international passengers match their travel documents (such as a passport or visa application). The Port has no control over these efforts, but is working to increase transparency and educate travelers about their rights with regard to this process.
For departing international passengers, CBP also has the federal authority to screen departing international passengers and began doing so at SEA in January 2020. However, the Port of Seattle Commission has chosen to take control of this process in order to enhance transparency, accountability, and traveler protections. While the Port and its tenant airlines must use CBP’s facial recognition database and follow CBP rules regarding privacy and other protocols, the Port of Seattle Commission has approved a comprehensive set of policies to supplement those protections, developed in partnership with a Biometrics External Advisory Group.
