U.S. Customs and Border Protection is introducing facial biometric scanning for American travellers departing from airports in ten countries, including Bermuda. The contactless technology is being described as the next step in processing passengers at U.S. airports, with full contactless checkpoints seen as the direction of future travel screening.

The agency says the push for fully contactless border checks reflects where passenger screening is likely to end up in the coming years. Officials have framed the technology as a way to improve the departure process for travellers.

The expansion coincides with separate controversies involving the agency. A Texas man born in the United States was reportedly deported, a case that has raised questions over how deportation decisions are made and applied. Separately, a Somali football referee was denied entry ahead of upcoming World Cup responsibilities.