TSA Starts Collecting ‘DNA’ With Law Now in Effect at U.S. airports | 29 Dec 2025 | New strict customs laws have gone into effect, allowing government officials to request tourists’ DNA in some cases. The new biometric data collection started on December 26, just ahead of the new year. The new rule targets non-citizens entering or leaving the U.S., according to government documents seen by Reuters. Travelers will now be subjected to facial recognition photos at the airport to help match them against existing records. Those facial recognition pictures will be stored for up to 75 years, according to the documents. Under the new law, Department of Homeland Security officials may request additional biometric information, including fingerprints or DNA, from non-citizens. The new biometric rules would also remove any age restrictions on facial recognition, meaning that any foreigner is now subject to the biometric measures.