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

The agency says the move toward fully contactless border checks reflects where passenger screening is headed in the coming years. Officials have framed the technology as a way to speed up the departure process for travellers.

The expansion comes alongside separate controversies connected to the body. A Texas man born in the United States was reportedly deported, a case that has drawn criticism over how deportation decisions are handled and reviewed. Separately, a Somali football referee was refused admission ahead of scheduled World Cup duties.