Canadian travelers are feeling a growing sense of unease at US land borders this year, as new surveillance systems quietly take hold. Facial scans, biometric checks, and even cameras that peer into vehicles are becoming part of the crossing routine—but not everyone was told what to expect. What used to be a familiar process has shifted into something far more digital and distant, where you might be scanned before you even speak to an officer. There are no clear signs, no obvious prompts, and for many, no real understanding of what happens to the data once it’s collected. That sudden shift is creating confusion, tension, and a creeping sense that border security is evolving faster than the people passing through it.

This transformation is part of a broader U.S. push to modernize border security infrastructure. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the goal is to improve national security, reduce identity fraud, and streamline processing times. But for Canadian travelers—who are not subject to the same legal protections as American citizens—the result feels far more intrusive than efficient.

A Border That’s No Longer Familiar

At key entry points like the Detroit–Windsor Tunnel, Peace Bridge, Blaine, and Champlain, travelers are now met with a wall of silent technology. Discreet cameras mounted overhead scan the faces of vehicle occupants before they reach the inspection booth. Pedestrians are photographed as they approach the crossing on foot, with facial images instantly matched to stored passport records in U.S. databases.

There’s little explanation, and often no signage indicating that scans are taking place. The process is quiet, fast, and automatic—leaving many Canadians unaware that their images were captured at all. For those who are aware, the lack of choice or clear opt-out mechanisms has been frustrating. While U.S. citizens can request a manual inspection in most cases, non-citizens like Canadians typically cannot.

Some travelers report feeling blindsided. Others say they didn’t know they were being scanned until it was over. The shift from face-to-face screening to biometric automation has left many asking questions about privacy, data retention, and control.

What Technologies Are Being Used

As of May 2025, CBP is operating two major systems at land border crossings:

• Pedestrian Biometric Facial Comparison: Travelers crossing on foot are photographed and verified against passport or visa photos. This is used to process both standard entry and the issuance of I-94 travel records.
• Vehicle Occupant Scanning: Cameras placed near inspection booths scan vehicle occupants as they approach. The technology captures faces through windows and processes them in real time against existing government records. Still in testing at certain sites, this system is expected to expand to all major crossings by the end of the year.

These systems are part of a broader national effort that traces back to the 9/11 Commission Report, which called for automated entry-exit tracking at all U.S. borders. After years of pilot programs at airports, the technology is now moving rapidly into land-based ports.

The CBP One App and Traveler Pre-Clearance

Alongside the physical rollout of surveillance equipment, CBP is also promoting its mobile platform, CBP One. This app allows travelers to submit facial images ahead of time to expedite border processing.

As of this year, some Canadian NEXUS members have access to this pre-clearance option. The idea is to make the process faster and reduce wait times. But the app has raised new questions about digital privacy and informed consent. Critics point out that few travelers understand what data is collected, how long it’s retained, or who has access to it once submitted.

The app is optional, but travelers using it are still subject to facial scans upon arrival.

No Similar Move from Canada

The Canadian government has not introduced facial recognition or biometric screening at its own land border checkpoints. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has said it is in contact with U.S. authorities about ongoing developments but has no intention of implementing a similar system at Canadian ports of entry.

While Canada has not issued a formal travel advisory in response to the U.S. changes, officials have updated their online guidance to reflect the presence of biometric technology at many American land crossings. The updated advice tells travelers to be prepared for facial recognition procedures and additional identity verification measures.

Traveler Reactions

Reports from the ground reflect a growing unease. Some travelers say they were unaware they were being scanned. Others report a lack of transparency, saying they felt surveilled without explanation or choice.

“I just thought it was a regular crossing,” said a traveler who drove from Toronto to upstate New York in April. “There were cameras, sure—but no one told us anything. Then we were waved through. It felt strange, like we’d already been processed before even speaking.”

Privacy advocates have voiced similar concerns. Organizations such as OpenMedia in Canada and the Electronic Frontier Foundation in the U.S. have criticized the deployment of biometric systems without comprehensive public education or robust legal safeguards. Their argument is simple: while the technology may increase efficiency, it shouldn’t come at the expense of transparency and consent.

What Canadian Travelers Should Expect

As the technology expands, travelers entering the U.S. from Canada should prepare for a new experience at the border. Here’s what to expect:

• Facial recognition scans are already in place at several major crossings and are expanding.
• Vehicle occupant scanning is active at select locations and will become more widespread through 2025.
• You may not be notified that you’re being scanned—signage and announcements are limited or nonexistent.
• Manual inspection is not typically offered to non-U.S. citizens.
• The CBP One app allows facial image pre-clearance but does not replace border scans.
• Children under 14 and seniors over 80 are often excluded from biometric scans.

The Bigger Picture

By the end of this year, the U.S. aims to have its top 30 land border crossings fully equipped with biometric screening capabilities. The systems are already changing how people move across borders—and how they feel while doing it.

For Canadians, the shift has introduced more than just technology. It has added a layer of uncertainty to a process that used to feel predictable. Without clear guidelines, legal safeguards, or opt-out choices, many are left navigating a system they didn’t agree to and don’t fully understand.

As biometric security becomes the norm, the question isn’t just how efficient the border can be. It’s whether travelers can move through it with confidence, clarity, and their rights intact.

The post Canadian Travelers Face Rising Tensions as US Expands New Facial Scans, Biometric Checks, and Vehicle Surveillance: What You Need to Know appeared first on Travel And Tour World.