Facial recognition identifies third imposter at Dulles

U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) facial recognition technology identified its third impostor at Washington Dulles International Airport in 40 days Monday.

The technology reported a mismatch between the photo embedded in a passport chip and a woman who presented a U.S. passport of a returning U.S. citizen. The woman, who arrived aboard a flight from Accra, Ghana, was a citizen from Cameroon.

It violates U.S. immigration law to enter the United States posing as someone else. The incident is under investigation.

“This latest interception is yet another example of the effectiveness of the facial comparison system we are using to help us detect criminals, terrorists or imposters attempting to enter our country,” Casey Durst, CBP’s Director of the Baltimore Field Office, said. “It has proven highly accurate and is one more tool in our officer’s toolbox that helps them accomplish CBP’s mission of keeping America safe from people that would do us harm while also helping to facilitate the efficient flow of legitimate travelers.”

Facial recognition technology works by comparing a traveler’s face to the face captured in the passport’s electronic chip. It works in less than two seconds.

The technology is used at major airports at entry and exit points.