DHS pushes rapid rollout of biometric border scans after uncovering false criminal histories

During a visit to New York City, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin told reporters that the department is fast-tracking the implementation of biometric screening, such as facial and iris recognition, at U.S. entry points. This move follows a House intelligence committee finding that roughly half of migrants who claim no criminal background are later identified as having serious offenses when biometrics are applied.

Mullin referenced Operation Rotten Apple, which has arrested 2,200 illegal entrants in New York state over the past month, many of whom were convicted murderers, rapists or drug traffickers. He criticized the prior administration for not conducting identity checks, resulting in a large proportion of undocumented arrivals being processed without verification. The rollout has been hampered by a 76-day funding lapse and a prior partial government shutdown, but Mullin said strong ties with Senate and House oversight committees are helping move the program forward. The committee also urged adoption of border-patrol booths modeled on Europe’s Schengen system to improve face, iris and fingerprint scanning at land crossings.