Transcription
[music] Thank you, welcome to one more video. Today we find ourselves right here at the international bridge of Hidalgo, Texas, which communicates precisely with the city of Reynosa, Tamaulipas. And we are here for a reason. There is breaking news that had already been rumored, but is officially confirmed today that due to a new provision by the United States authorities, biometric data will also be taken upon departure. That is, when you go from the United States to Mexico, they will also check your passport, your visa, and they will take your biometric data, that is, that photograph they regularly take when one walks from Mexico to the United States. What does this mean? Well, here I have in my hands the official report from Customs and Border Protection that they have just released, and which basically states that as of December 26th, all persons leaving the United States will have to undergo these biometric checks, this biometric review, and their documents. And not only by land, but also those leaving the United States by plane will have to have their biometric data checked by land in a car. That is, if you are in line like these vehicles and are going to leave for Mexico, they will also check your biometric data, they will check your papers to make sure they are in order, your visa, etc. And also by sea, that is, if you leave on a cruise, they will also check your paperwork. What will be the practical consequences of this? Obviously, long lines, just as there are lines to enter the United States, there will be lines to leave. And where exactly will they check these documents? Well, here we can see that there are these arches. That is where the CBP agents, from Customs and Border Protection, will be. There are places where there are already established booths, such as at the Anzalduas bridge that connects Mission, Texas with Reynosa, where there are already some established booths with the equipment, the computers to check all this biometric data of all persons leaving the United States. I am going to read you a bit of what the official statement says in relation to this to clarify a bit more what will happen starting this December 26th. And the statement says: "The Department of Homeland Security of the United States has announced the publication of the final rule notice titled Collection of Biometric Data of Aliens Upon Entry and Exit from the United States. This key regulation advances DHS's efforts to implement a comprehensive biometric entry and exit program, enhancing national security and streamlining identity verification processes for foreign visitors traveling to and from the United States." The statement is very clear here. The final rule, which will take effect on December 26, 2025, amends existing DHS regulations to authorize Customs and Border Protection to collect facial biometric data of all non-citizens upon entry and exit from the country at airports, land ports, seaports, and other authorized points of departure. It says that this also eliminates the extensions that existed for diplomats and most Canadian visitors. That is, diplomats and Canadians will also be subjected to this type of review when leaving United States territory. It says that this does not affect, that is, U.S. citizens will not be subjected to this biometric data, who can continue to participate voluntarily, but it is not mandatory when entering and leaving the country. And U.S. citizens who prefer not to be screened in this facial biometrics process can notify a CBP officer or an airline representative to not have to undergo it and be exempt from it. This is what this statement, which was signed a few days ago, is indicating. This statement, I repeat, is the official statement where it is definitively confirmed that all persons leaving the United States will be reviewed biometrically, along with their paperwork and documents. What does this mean? I will explain it a bit in practice. If you come shopping to the United States, cross the bridge, any of the international bridges in your vehicle, enter the United States, upon entering U.S. territory, they ask for your visa and your immigration document if you have a green card or your passport if you are a U.S. citizen. These documents obviously already have your biometric data in this place. If you cross by car, when you return after staying in the United States by car, I repeat, you will be in line like in this place. Upon reaching the exit point, a little before paying the bridge toll, CBP agents will be checking that your visa is in order, that your paperwork is in order, that you have your passport if you are an American citizen to be able to leave the United States, if you have a green card, any type of document, and they will also be checking your biometric data. What does this mean? The photograph that they regularly take when you arrive at an airport, when you cross on foot, they will take it to have all your biometric data. There are some bridges where there are automated systems that already take this biometric data of the occupants coming in the vehicle. Perhaps it cannot be seen, but I will show you a closer shot of some cameras that are installed, which could also take people's biometric data. However, it is also known that there will be CBP agents checking all persons leaving. When you cross on foot, as on this side, you will also have to pass through a checkpoint where CBP agents will take your photograph, just as they do when you enter the United States, to know who is leaving and to 100% identify the people who are also leaving the United States. At airports, biometric data is currently taken. When you arrive by plane at any point of entry, at any U.S. airport. You remember that when you request permission, you show your paperwork, your visa or your card, your green card, the Customs and Border Protection officer takes a photograph of you with your biometric data. Sometimes you even have to provide your fingerprint. Well, that same process will be the same when you leave by plane. You will have to go through a migration security checkpoint where they will take another photograph of you and check your documents to know who is leaving the country. What will happen with this? Obviously, it is another security measure by the United States within all these immigration changes that are happening, but it will also allow CBP agents to detect who is leaving without permission to remain in the United States. That is, if you stayed longer than permitted, if you were given a permit for six months and stayed for seven months, at the moment you leave the country, they will realize that you committed a violation of immigration law and could be subject to a sanction that, obviously, can even go up to detention and deportation in some cases, right? So, that is what it is about, having more immigration controls by the United States. Following this measure, which I repeat, is officially confirmed to begin this December 26th, and in which all persons leaving the United States will be reviewed biometrically by immigration authorities. This is what I wanted to inform you about. It is news that had already been handled as a rumor, however, today it is official following the publication of this document which is available on the CVP website. You can access it there to get all the details of what exactly this document says. I will put the link below where you can visit to see the complete document. And well, this information obviously affects all persons who regularly travel to the United States, as all tourist visa holders, all green card holders, that is, permanent residents, all those who have a work permit in the United States, all of them will have to undergo this biometric review every time they leave the United States. I repeat, the only ones exempt will be U.S. citizens traveling with a U.S. passport. Canadians are now also included in these reviews according to this statement, and diplomats, who were also previously exempt from this review, will also be reviewed biometrically. Therefore, take these measures very much into account if you are going to travel to the United States, take your time because obviously there will be lines to leave the United States with these new measures, and well, it is a situation that further complicates the immigration situation in the United States. Keep it in mind. Thank you very much for joining me in this video. We will see you in the next one, reporting on everything that happens across the border. Don't forget to subscribe to receive more news like this every time we upload it. If you liked it, please give it a like and share it so that more people have access to this type of information. Thank you very much and see you in the next one.