Realigning Mobile Phone Biometrics for American Privacy Protection Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 7124
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Immigration
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-01-16: Referred to the Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-16T08:07:59Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The legislation aims to protect the privacy of U.S. citizens by restricting the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) use of facial recognition and biometric mobile phone applications, limiting them strictly to identification at official border entry points (ports of entry) and prohibiting broader surveillance or data sharing.
Key Provisions
- Development of Standards: Within 30 days of enactment, the DHS Secretary must create guidelines for DHS and its components, including:
- Prohibition on using the Mobile Fortify App, Mobile Identify App, or any successor apps except for identification at ports of entry.
- Ban on sharing these apps with other federal, state, local, Tribal, or territorial agencies.
- Requirement to remove the apps from DHS information technology systems (e.g., computers and networks), except where needed at ports of entry, and to remotely disable them on non-DHS devices.
- Data Destruction Rules:
- Immediate destruction of any images, photos, or fingerprints of U.S. citizens captured via these apps before the guidelines take effect, regardless of storage location.
- For data captured at ports of entry under allowed uses, destruction must occur within 12 hours of capture.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces new federal restrictions on DHS's deployment of specific mobile biometric tools, which were previously used more broadly (e.g., potentially in interior enforcement operations). It mandates proactive data deletion timelines and sharing prohibitions, shifting from permissive use to a privacy-focused framework without altering core border security laws like those under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: DHS will face operational limits on biometric tools outside borders, potentially slowing non-port enforcement activities but streamlining data management to reduce storage burdens. Other agencies (federal, state, etc.) lose access to DHS-shared apps, requiring alternative identification methods.
- On Citizens: Enhances privacy by minimizing unauthorized collection and retention of personal biometric data (e.g., facial scans or fingerprints), reducing risks of misuse or prolonged government surveillance.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though it could signal U.S. commitment to privacy standards in border tech, potentially influencing bilateral agreements on immigration enforcement tools.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- U.S. Citizens: Primary beneficiaries through protected biometric privacy; those interacting with DHS at borders may experience quicker data deletion.
- Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Components (e.g., Customs and Border Protection): Must implement changes, affecting tool usage and IT systems.
- Other Government Entities: Federal, state, local, Tribal, and territorial agencies are barred from app access, impacting collaborative enforcement.
- App Developers and Tech Providers: Indirectly affected by DHS's removal and disablement requirements for these specific applications.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal/Constitutional: Strengthens privacy protections under the Fourth Amendment (which guards against unreasonable searches and seizures) by limiting biometric data collection to specific, time-bound border contexts; could set precedents for regulating government use of emerging tech like facial recognition.
- Political: Addresses concerns over surveillance overreach in immigration enforcement, appealing to privacy advocates while potentially drawing criticism from security hawks for constraining interior operations; introduced by Democrats, it reflects partisan divides on balancing security and civil liberties.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2]
Cosponsors (5)
Rep. Correa, J. Luis [D-CA-46], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9], Rep. Meng, Grace [D-NY-6], Rep. Espaillat, Adriano [D-NY-13]
Recent Actions
- 2026-01-16: Referred to the Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement.
- 2026-01-15: Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.
- 2026-01-15: Introduced in House
- 2026-01-15: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Realigning Mobile Phone Biometrics for American Privacy Protection Act — issued 2026-01-15 — PDF (3 pages)