Toronto provider detained by US Immigration and refused entry

[+ DrownedBoy]

In the U.S., if you're a citizen, you can decline biometrics and ask the agent to do a manual check. They usually just glance at me, the passport, and wave me through.

[+ Vegas_Millennial]

5 minutes ago, DrownedBoy said:

In the U.S., if you're a citizen, you can decline biometrics and ask the agent to do a manual check. They usually just glance at me, the passport, and wave me through.

Agree, I do the same.  Also, some airlines have begun using have recognition in lieu of boarding pass at the gate.  I opt out of those as well.

[mike carey]

If you are going to consider opting out of facial scanning at the airport, you should perhaps consider what it is that you are avoiding. Are you avoiding giving the airline or the authorities your image, or are you avoiding using your image (rather than a paper boarding pass, or your passport or RealID) as a link to a travel or identity record that already has your image on file? If your image is already in their data base, I'm not sure that using an image of your face rather than a piece of paper to confirm that it is you when you pass through one of the hoops at the airport does anything to preserve your privacy. 

And before anyone objects, I totally understand the wish to avoid providing a security state with your private information. Everyone has their own tolerance level for how much information they willingly provide, so I do understand why some would avoid having their image scanned at the airport when they can.

[BonVivant]

It's too late to avoid. The State has all of your information and pictures already.  

[DMonDude]

14 hours ago, mike carey said:

If you are going to consider opting out of facial scanning at the airport, you should perhaps consider what it is that you are avoiding. Are you avoiding giving the airline or the authorities your image, or are you avoiding using your image (rather than a paper boarding pass, or your passport or RealID) as a link to a travel or identity record that already has your image on file? If your image is already in their data base, I'm not sure that using an image of your face rather than a piece of paper to confirm that it is you when you pass through one of the hoops at the airport does anything to preserve your privacy. 

And before anyone objects, I totally understand the wish to avoid providing a security state with your private information. Everyone has their own tolerance level for how much information they willingly provide, so I do understand why some would avoid having their image scanned at the airport when they can.

Everything we acquiesce to now opens the door for further privacy over reach later. So, while you're right on this particular use case of facial recognition. It's more so a principle of the matter thing to me. And also in general, even if what you describe is how they use it and nothing more. We've been in the era of data breaches and leaks for like 15+ years now. And our government isn't exactly secure with how they handle our data lately. So i think that's a valid concern. It's one of those things where it's not a big deal and it's fine, until suddenly it's not.

Edited Tuesday at 03:31 PM by DMonDude

[+ BOZO T CLOWN]

26 minutes ago, DMonDude said:

Everything we acquiesce to now opens the door for further privacy over reach later. So, while you're right on this particular use case of facial recognition. It's more so a principle of the matter thing to me. And also in general, even if what you describe is how they use it and nothing more. We've been in the era of data breaches and leaks for like 15+ years now. And our government isn't exactly secure with how they handle our data lately. So i think that's a valid concern. It's one of those things where it's not a big deal and it's fine, until suddenly it's not.

Based on the CBC story, it does not appear that Canadians can elect to opt out of photos and facial recognition. If they want to travel to the US, they have to abide by US rules. It's really pretty simple. 

BTC
🤡

 

[DMonDude]

19 minutes ago, BOZO T CLOWN said:

Based on the CBC story, it does not appear that Canadians can elect to opt out of photos and facial recognition. If they want to travel to the US, they have to abide by US rules. It's really pretty simple. 

BTC
🤡

 

Which is unfortunate. I'm noticing other countries in Europe are starting to do a similar thing. I admittedly was more so thinking US Domestic, where we still have the option to opt out for now.

[+ BOZO T CLOWN]

8 minutes ago, DMonDude said:

Which is unfortunate. I'm noticing other countries in Europe are starting to do a similar thing. I admittedly was more so thinking US Domestic, where we still have the option to opt out for now.

There is clearly no opting out if you are Canadian. The CBC story is unclear on whether this rule is specifically targeting Canadians or it applies to all foreigners traveling to the United States.

BTC
🤡

[+ SirBillybob]

In a few years it’s as if I don’t exist? How very dare they?

Edited Tuesday at 06:32 PM by SirBillybob

[jeezifonly]

The US is welcoming to low-melanin visitors only. Further restrictions may apply. Randomly.

[Nutella]

On 10/28/2025 at 11:07 AM, BonVivant said:

It's too late to avoid. The State has all of your information and pictures already.  

EVERYTHING!

22 hours ago, SirBillybob said:

In a few years it’s as if I don’t exist? How very dare they?

This doesn't sound so crazy since there are a bunch of antagonist nations that hate the US and present a terrorist threat. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that the same is being done in Western Europe and other countries, with airlines offering connecting flights to the US.

[+ BOZO T CLOWN]

23 hours ago, SirBillybob said:

In a few years it’s as if I don’t exist? How very dare they?

Information about foreign travelers to the USA will remain in the DHS database for 75 years? That sounds about right.
People are living a lot longer these days!

BTC
🤡

[+ SirBillybob]

59 minutes ago, BOZO T CLOWN said:

Information about foreign travelers to the USA will remain in the DHS database for 75 years? That sounds about right.
People are living a lot longer these days!

BTC
🤡

Ooooh. “Up to 75 years” not “up to 75 years”.😏

Edited 22 hours ago by SirBillybob

[TorontoDrew]

I have Nexus so the US government has my retina scan, picture and fingerprints so this isn't a big deal for me. Plus I have no plans to enter the US.

[+ JamesB]

Opting out of facial recognition at airport security might feel like a privacy win, but it’s largely an illusion that achieves little while ignoring the broader surveillance reality. Your face is already everywhere in the system the moment you applied for a passport or driver’s license, your facial biometric was captured in high-resolution government databases (e.g., DHS’s IDENT/HART or state DMVs). TSA’s facial recognition at airports isn’t creating new data, it’s matching you against photos you’ve already surrendered. Your biometric profile exists whether you scan or not. Airports are saturated with cameras, gate areas, concourses, baggage claim, even retail zones. These feed AI systems that don’t need your consent. Companies like Clear or airline apps already use facial recognition for boarding passes. The data is already shared across borders and agencies. CBP shares biometric data with five eyes partners (UK, Canada, Australia, NZ) and interpolates it into international watchlists. Your passport photo is cross-referenced globally. Any hope of privacy died a long time ago.

[Bargara Leatherboy]

We did a world cruise earlier this year 2025, starting from Southampton UK and returning there.

My husband who lived in the USA for 13 years, and had a valid green card then!!

At New Yorks Brooklyn cruise terminal he was pulled into secondary, because on the front screen the officer could see a valid green card (sic) and a valid esta.  

Now a green card becomes invalid after 12 months absence from the USA.  Husband left in 1988 and had never returned.

The officer at secondary stated that their systems are old and clunky - think DOS 

 

After digging down thru various screens he found the green card expiry date, and it showed as expired.

Asked a few questions about why he left the USA in 1988 and returned to his native Australia, and said he would put some notes on the system explaining all of the above BUT to expect to be sent to Secondary on every entry to the USA.

After cruising to Colombia, Panama Canal, Mexico we arrived in San Francisco, same situation - but a bit easier.

My side thought was if the Immigration system is so damm clunky how does ICE work out who is illegal or overstaying?

Talking about biometrics, we met two beautiful men from Palm Springs who did San Francisco to Southampton.  They mentioned they were not going to get off the ship during out 2 day visit to Singapore as they feared the biometric systems being used in Singapore.  Photos and fingerprints ......

I said well we do that evertime we go into the USA, and did you see the cameras when we got off the ship in Hong Kong, almost every country is doing photos and fingerprints.

 

They were very surprised to discover that what they feared was being used in the USA but not for citizens.

 

BIG Brother is everywhere the only issue is how they use the data .