Biometrics at Work: Imposter Intercepted at Washington Dulles International Airport

On Wednesday, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations intercepted an imposter at Washington Dulles International Airport using facial comparison biometrics—just three days after the airport implemented the state-of-the-art technology.

This critical action—in which CBP officers discovered that the man posing as a French citizen was not a match to the passport he presented—occurred on the same day the U.S. Travel Association met with CBP officials at Dulles to discuss security screening and observe the airport’s new technology.

The outcome at Dulles echoes what U.S. Travel has been saying for years: biometric screening drastically reduces the rate of deception by verifying that an individual is exactly who they are claiming to be, and significantly amplifies our national security. There can be no stronger or more timely argument for aggressive implementation of this technology across our transportation modes.

CBP is working to roll out biometric screening at airports nationwide, after implementing the country's first biometric entry and exit program at Orlando International Airport in June. 

The U.S Travel Association commends CBP for their actions to intercept an imposter, and remains committed to supporting the agency’s efforts to expand biometric screening.