U.S. Activates New Border Rule Affecting Legal Residents

Mandatory New Immigration Control

No Exceptions for Green Card Holders

Photographs at All Borders

Starting Friday, December 26, entry into and exit from the United States now include a mandatory procedure that directly affects foreigners with lawful permanent resident status.

The measure impacts green card holders at all authorized ports of entry nationwide, according to El Tiempo.

The US Customs and Border Protection implemented a regulation requiring identity photographs.

Photographic registration is now required when crossing through airports, seaports, and land border crossings.

Green Card Under New US Border Rule

In the early hours of December 26, 2025—like announcing a new era without posting it on the door—the U.S. Department of Homeland Security activated a package of travel restrictions and immigration controls affecting all non-citizens… pic.twitter.com/A6O181gVkB

— 𝗖𝘂𝗯𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝗻 𝗛 𝗱𝗲 𝗢𝗿𝘁𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗳𝗶́𝗮 (@CubaOrtografia) December 26, 2025

The update eliminates exceptions that previously applied to certain groups.

From now on, any non-US citizen must be photographed when entering or leaving the country.

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The change applies regardless of the mode of transportation used.

The rule covers commercial flights, private vessels, vehicles, and pedestrian crossings.

Who Does the New Rule Apply To?

As of December 26, U.S. authorities began taking photos of all foreigners and collecting biometric data from some of them when entering and leaving the country by air, land, or sea, following the implementation of a new Department of Homeland Security rule… pic.twitter.com/02ftHGbIlF

— El Diario (@eldiario) December 26, 2025

The biometric data collection rule places lawful permanent residents under the same treatment as other foreign nationals.

The Department of Homeland Security stated that, for purposes of this rule, green card holders will be processed as foreigners.

This means there will be no distinction based on immigration status during border controls.

The requirement extends to all existing visa categories.

The obligation to be photographed does not depend on the traveler’s age.

It includes minors under 14 and individuals over 79 years old.

The rule also eliminates benefits that previously applied to certain profiles.

Exemptions that favored diplomats and most Canadian citizens have been removed.

The scope of the measure is comprehensive and allows no operational exceptions.

What Happens If the Procedure Is Not Followed?

Photographic registration is now part of the standard entry and exit process.

Failure to comply with this new US border rule may carry immigration consequences.

Noncompliance can result in a finding of inadmissibility.

It may also be considered a violation of the terms of lawful stay in the country.

The regulation establishes photography as a mandatory—not optional—requirement.

Authorities will apply the procedure systematically at ports of entry.

Failure to complete registration may affect future border crossings.

The measure strengthens controls across all modes of travel.

As of this Friday, taking photographs is a standard step for all foreign nationals, including lawful permanent residents—redefining the border process under the new US border rule for green card holders.