Customs and Border Protection collects a wealth of information through the technologies deployed at the ports of entry, all of which is stored in a master crossing record the agency keeps on every individual that enters the country.

Yes, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) maintains highly detailed and comprehensive records of every individual who enters or departs the United States. In 2026, this is primarily managed through the Arrival and Departure Information System (ADIS) and the automated I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record) system. For air and sea travel, airlines and cruise lines are legally required to transmit passenger manifests directly to CBP's "Advance Passenger Information System" (APIS) before the vessel even arrives. For land border crossings, CBP utilizes license plate readers, facial recognition technology at select ports, and a new "Voluntary Self-Reported Exit" functionality within the CBP Home mobile app to bridge information gaps. These records include your biographic data, biometrics (like fingerprints and facial scans), and the exact time and port of entry/exit. CBP keeps this data for several years (often 15 to 75 years depending on the traveler's status) to verify visa compliance, monitor "overstays," and ensure national security, making it a permanent part of your U.S. travel history.