March 01, 2026

#opinion: As Trump bombs Iran, why would we hand over our biometrics?

Martyn Bradbury Posted On March 1, 2026

As Trump bombs Iran, why would we hand over our biometrics?

The timing is bad.

Just as President Trump launches an illegal attack on Iran, (following his illegal kidnapping of Venezuelan President Maduro), America has threatened the 42 countries in its Visa Waiver Program to either agree with their new Enhanced Border Security Partnership (EBSP) demands or risk losing our 90 day free visa status.

This matters to every Kiwi travelling as the EBSP requires far more biometric data than the current system needs.

That means enormous sensitive and personal data about yourself will be accessible by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement border force, that’s Trump’s secret police militia who seize people off the street and last month killed two protestors.

Allowing a President that much data and biometric details to a paramilitary force with questionable tactics while he is trashing the International Laws of the Planet leaves wide open questions.

Biometrics is even more precious to Māori and other indigenous cultures and there is no clear explanation how the taonga of DNA or tattoos would be respected.

This new requirement to hand over personal details follows a call late last year by the Trump Administration to require all Embassy’s to collect information on migration data and “migrant-related crimes and human rights abuses” because the President believes migration is bad for the host nation.

New Zealand should not participate in handing over data on our migrants anymore than we should hand over our biometrics!

The American President is showing us the rule of law means nothing to him, why would we trust our DNA with him?

Disclaimer

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official position of Waatea News, its staff, management, or affiliated organisations. Waatea News provides a platform for a diversity of voices and perspectives but does not endorse or take responsibility for individual opinions published.

Martyn Bradbury

Editor – TheDailyBlog.nz

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