Bills · HR 7124
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 7124Immigration
Realigning Mobile Phone Biometrics for American Privacy Protection Act
INTRO JAN 15· LAST ACTION JAN 16
READING
2MIN
COSPONSORS
5
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill is important because it sets clear boundaries on how a major federal agency, the Department of Homeland Security, can use powerful facial recognition technology on Americans. The broad use of such technology by government agencies often raises significant privacy concerns about surveillance and potential misuse of personal data.
If this bill becomes law, it would significantly limit where and how DHS can use these specific apps, reducing the collection and long-term retention of biometric data from citizens outside of border crossings. This could enhance individual privacy and prevent the spread of these surveillance tools. If it doesn't pass, DHS could continue to use and potentially share these mobile facial recognition apps more broadly, allowing for more extensive collection and retention of sensitive personal information, which would continue current debates about privacy versus security.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Prohibits DHS from using specific facial recognition apps (Mobile Fortify, Mobile Identify, or similar) anywhere except for identification purposes at ports of entry.
This dramatically restricts the use of these powerful surveillance tools by DHS to specific border locations, enhancing privacy elsewhere.
PROVISION 02
Prevents DHS from sharing these facial recognition apps with any other federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial agency.
This stops the spread of these specific surveillance technologies to other government bodies, limiting their overall reach and potential for broader use.
PROVISION 03
Requires the removal of these apps from DHS computer systems and the remote disabling of them on any non-DHS devices where they might be installed.
Ensures that the technology is contained and not inadvertently or intentionally used outside the permitted scope, reinforcing the usage restrictions.
PROVISION 04
Requires immediate destruction of any image, photograph, or fingerprint of a U.S. citizen captured through these apps outside of ports of entry.
Mandates the swift deletion of potentially sensitive biometric data collected in unauthorized circumstances, directly protecting individual privacy.
PROVISION 05
Requires the destruction of any image, photograph, or fingerprint of a U.S. citizen captured for identification purposes at ports of entry within 12 hours of capture.
Sets a strict time limit for retaining biometric data even when collected legitimately at the border, minimizing long-term storage risks and potential for misuse.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 5
D· Mississippi
YRS IN OFFICE
33
BILLS LED
15
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 0%
DEM 5 REP 0 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
4 EVENTSJAN 16
Referred to the Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement.
JAN 15
Introduced in House
JAN 15
Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.
JAN 15
Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 7124
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedJan 15, 2026
Last actionJan 16, 2026
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · HOMELAND SECURITY COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED JAN 15, 2026
House BillHR 7124Immigration
Realigning Mobile Phone Biometrics for American Privacy Protection Act
INTRODUCED JAN 15, 2026· LAST ACTION JAN 16, 2026
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
2 min
COSPONSORS
5
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
