U.S. Customs and Border Protection is rolling out facial biometric scanning for American travellers departing from airports in ten countries, including Bermuda. The contactless technology is being presented as the next step in processing passengers at U.S. airports, with full contactless checkpoints outlined 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 described the expansion as a way to streamline the departure process for travellers.

The expansion comes alongside separate controversies involving the agency. A Texas man with U.S. citizenship was reportedly deported, a case that has attracted attention over how deportation decisions are reached and carried out. Separately, a Somali football referee was refused admission ahead of planned World Cup officiating duties.