DHS plans to collect biometric data from migrant children “down to the infant”

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is planning to collect and analyze facial images of migrant children at the border, including infants, to improve facial recognition technology. This initiative, led by John Boyd of the DHS's Office of Biometric Identity Management (OBIM), aims to determine if the technology can reliably recognize children as they age. Historically, facial recognition technology has not been applied to children due to privacy concerns and the lack of diverse, high-quality datasets of children’s faces. The new DHS plan could significantly expand available data, given the large number of migrant children arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border. However, it is unclear if the program has been fully implemented, and DHS has provided limited information about its progress. OBIM’s collection of facial images from children under 14 is possible due to recent changes in DHS policies that removed age restrictions on biometric data collection. This has raised concerns among privacy advocates, lawmakers, and immigrant rights organizations, who fear that using such technology on children could lead to a surveillance state. Critics argue that the power imbalances at the border make it impossible for migrant children and their guardians to provide informed consent, further complicating the ethical implications of the program. The DHS’s facial recognition initiative is part of a broader trend of using vulnerable populations, such as migrants, to develop new technologies. This practice has historical precedents, including the use of biometric systems in war zones like Iraq and Afghanistan. Despite DHS’s assurances that privacy is a priority, the agency has been criticized for its lack of transparency and inadequate documentation of how biometric data is shared. The implications of this program are far-reaching, potentially influencing not only government data collection practices but also the broader facial recognition industry’s approach to children’s data.