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Biometrics

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Privacy Information

Privacy is an integral part of the Office of Biometric Identity Management (OBIM), formerly US-VISIT, and it is essential to the program mission. OBIM takes privacy into account from conception through planning and development, and during the execution of every aspect of the OBIM program.

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Biometrics and Identity Services

The Office of Biometric Identity Management's (OBIM) use of biometrics is helping to make travel simple and convenient for legitimate visitors, while supporting operations to counter those who wish to do harm or violate U.S. laws.

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Office of Biometric Identity Management

The Office of Biometric Identity Management provides biometric compare, store, share, and analyze services to DHS and mission partners.

Last Updated: | Publication

DHS Biometrics Expansion

Memo signed by Secretary John Kelly on May 24, 2017, directing the Department to enhance biometric collection practices to improve identity resolution and encounter management.

Last Updated: | Fact Sheets

Snapshot: S&T Tests Face, Iris Systems at Biometric Tech Rally

Balancing speed and security at checkpoints, like airports, is essential to ensuring safe, reliable travel. Many of these checkpoints are increasingly using biometric technology to improve speed and reliability. While recent improvements in biometrics have lowered failure to match rates, many systems fail to quickly acquire biometric information in the first place.DHS S&T's first Biometric Technology Rally  aimed to eliminate these obstacles by testing face and face/iris recognition systems.

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Biometric Technology Rally

DHS S&T will hold a series of Biometric Technology Rallies to support industry innovation and advance technologies that support DHS and Homeland Security Enterprise operations.

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Biometric and Identity

The Biometrics and Identity Technology Center (BI-TC) establishes an enduring core capability by leveraging S&T’s biometric expertise and ensures the re-use of biometric tools, methods, and best practices, as well as support robust testing and evaluation at the Maryland Test Facility (MdTF) to inform applications of biometric technology to specific operational use cases across Apex programs, S&T programs, DHS, and the Homeland Security Enterprise (HSE).

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Biometrics

At the Department of Homeland Security, biometrics are used for detecting and preventing illegal entry into the United States, granting and administering proper immigration benefits, vetting and credentialing, facilitating legitimate travel and trade, enforcing federal laws, and enabling verification for visa applications to the United States.

Last Updated: | Testimony

Written testimony of USCIS Director for a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration and the National Interest hearing titled “Oversight of the Administration’s FY 2017 Refugee Resettlement Program”

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director León Rodriguez addresses USCIS’ role in refugee resettlement and the current screening measures and safeguards of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program.

Last Updated: | Testimony

Written testimony of CBP, ICE, PLCY, and S&T for a House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security hearing titled “Overstaying Their Welcome: National Security Risks Posed by Visa Overstays”

U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations Deputy Assistant Commissioner John Wagner, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations National Security Investigations Division Assistant Director Craig Healy, Office of Policy (PLCY) Screening Coordination Office Deputy Assistant Secretary Kelli Ann Burriesci, and Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) Homeland Security Advanced Research Projects Agency Deputy Director Bob Burns address the progress DHS is making to incorporate biometrics into DHS’ comprehensive entry/exit system and to identify, report, and address overstays in support of DHS’ border security and immigration enforcement missions.