Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Simplified Arrival initiative recently debuted at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), with officials touting the endeavor’s varied benefits.
In partnership with Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), the inaugural implementation is an enhanced international arrival process using facial biometrics to automate the manual document checks already required for admission into the United States.
“Simplified Arrival is a secure, efficient, and intuitive process that delivers a seamless experience for travelers arriving into the United States,” Diane Sabatino, CBP deputy executive assistant commissioner for the Office of Field Operations, said. “CBP is using an accurate, reliable technology to verify identity while protecting the privacy of all travelers.”
Travelers are afforded a touchless process while using Simplified Arrival, officials said, adding the process further secures and streamlines international arrivals while fulfilling a longstanding congressional mandate to biometrically record the entry and exit of non-U.S. citizens.
“Los Angeles World Airports is an innovation leader, deploying new technology to enhance safety, streamline the passenger experience and create an increasingly digital curb-to-gate journey,” Justin Erbacci, Chief Executive Officer, LAWA, said. “Our partnership with U.S. Customs and Border Protection has led to many passenger improvements, and the addition of Simplified Arrivals further solidifies LAX’s position as a premiere international port of entry.”
Per the CBP, presently, more than 53 million travelers have participated in the biometric facial comparison process at air, land, and seaports of entry. Since September 2018, CBP has leveraged facial biometrics to prevent nearly 300 imposters from illegally entering the country using genuine travel documents issued to other people.